President Michel Aoun declared Tuesday that Beirut and Paris are capable of withstanding and are currently fighting the battle to preserve the values of peace and democracy.
In a joint press conference with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Aoun said that “the Lebanese people have been sharing with the Syrian refugees for 6 years the schools, the hospitals, the businesses and the lands,” stressing the need to organize their return to safe zones in Syria.
“It is the duty of the United Nations to help the refugees return to their home country instead of helping them live in inhumane camps, which they leave and head to Europe through illegitimate means,” he added.
He noted that “a case of instability in Lebanon is like a suicide attack to all communities that believe in pluralism and democracy.”
For her part, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo stressed that “if it weren’t for Lebanon, Paris would not have been as it is today,” noting that France is aware of immense responsibility assumed by Lebanon regarding the refugee crisis.
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