Latest news with #SyrianRefugees
LBCI
3 days ago
- Business
- LBCI
UN meeting in Beirut discusses Response Plan and refugee return: International support and government commitment
Lebanon's Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed and U.N. Coordinator Imran Riza chaired a meeting of experts on Lebanon's Response Plan, held after a delay since February and following the formation of the new government. The meeting was attended by representatives from U.N. agencies and donor countries. A detailed presentation of the plan was given, covering intervention priorities, funding, challenges, and the roadmap for the return of Syrian refugees with international support. Donor countries reaffirmed their support for Lebanon and for the safe return of refugees. Minister Sayed emphasized the government's commitment to implementing the return plan and the importance of supporting the 'Aman' social safety net program. Riza stressed the continued need for aid, with a focus on strengthening development.
LBCI
4 days ago
- General
- LBCI
Lebanon's Defense Minister stresses importance of UNIFIL mandate renewal
Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Mnassa met with the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, at his office in Yarzeh, where they discussed ongoing coordination with U.N. agencies, particularly the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Minister Mnassa emphasized the need to renew UNIFIL's mandate in August without any modifications, underscoring the crucial role the force plays in maintaining security and stability in South Lebanon and the broader region. The meeting also addressed the issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Mnassa called for a clear and actionable plan to ensure their return to Syria, given the evolving developments on the ground. Discussions further covered the situation along the Lebanese-Syrian border and the measures currently in place to monitor and secure the frontier.
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanon to Tackle Arms in Beirut Palestinian Refugee Camps in June, as Aoun Meets Hezbollah MPs
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced on Monday that authorities will begin tackling the issue of weapons in three Palestinian refugee camps in Beirut in mid-June. Lebanese-Palestinian committees have been formed to handle the task, he added. Lebanon is home to 12 Palestinian refugee camps. Aoun received a US Congressional delegation, headed by Senator Angus King, at the Baabda presidential palace on Monday. Aoun told them that the lifting of American sanctions off Syria was a step in the right direction because it will help resolve the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon. He reiterated previous statements made by other Lebanese officials that the United Nations must offer the refugees assistance in their home country, not in Lebanon. Some 800,000 Syrian refugees are registered in Lebanon, but officials say the figure is much higher given the number of unregistered refugees. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had visited Lebanon last week where he met with Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Discussions focused on the need to remove weapons from the Palestinian refugee camps and for the Lebanese state to have monopoly over arms in the country. Salam and Abbas announced the formation of a joint Lebanese-Palestinian executive committee that will carry out the agreements. It held its first meeting on Friday. The issue of state monopoly over arms is a priority for the international community, which has been pressing Lebanon to make progress in this issue as the country seeks aid in the reconstruction following the war between Israel and Hezbollah last year. Hezbollah's weapons Hezbollah's arsenal is another focus of the international community and Lebanese efforts. Aoun had vowed during his swearing in speech that only the state will have monopoly over arms. A Hezbollah parliamentary delegation met with Aoun on Monday on the occasion of the 25th Resistance and Liberation Day, which fell on Sunday. Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem marked the occasion by declaring that the war with Israel 'is not over', accusing it of failing to respect the ceasefire. 'Do not ask anything from us. Let Israel withdraw from Lebanese positions, cease its attacks and release the prisoners. Only then will we talk,' he added. Aoun had previously declared that he will hold dialogue with Hezbollah over its need to lay down its arms. Berri, a Hezbollah ally, has said he will support and facilitate his efforts, government sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. Ministerial sources revealed that Aoun is hoping to make progress in this file before next year's parliamentary elections in May. Following the meeting with the president on Monday, Hezbollah MP Mohammed Raad said discussions focused on preserving Lebanon's national sovereignty and ending the Israeli occupation of five Lebanese positions. 'There are no closed doors in the exchange of ideas with the president. There is a lot of room for understanding,' he remarked. 'We do not believe we should be committed to a timing, place or mechanism, as long as the president is keen on achieving priorities, starting with preserving sovereignty, ending the occupation and ending Israeli violations.' The Hezbollah delegation met with Berri earlier on Monday. Informed sources described the meeting as positive. Raad said: 'The people of the South are banking on the resistance (Hezbollah) in liberating occupied territory in order to pave the way for the reconstruction of destroyed villages.'
LBCI
5 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Bassil says the FPM remains a major political force
Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader MP Gebran Bassil said municipal union elections are not solely about local development but are increasingly taking on a political dimension. He pointed to the FPM's recent victory in the Matn municipal union as the opening chapter in a broader electoral push. Turning to the southern district of Jezzine, Bassil remarked, "Watch with us how the Jezzine chapter will end. The Lebanese Forces claim they lost the city but won the union, while I say we won most of Jezzine's municipalities, and the union result will speak for itself." Bassil reaffirmed his party's commitment to supporting municipalities at both the local and national levels, highlighting two main priorities: the Syrian refugee issue and expanded administrative decentralization. He dismissed suggestions of his party's decline, asserting, "The FPM remains a major political force. Claims of its end are baseless. We are significantly stronger in these municipal elections compared to 2016." Bassil concluded by emphasizing that the FPM had once again demonstrated its presence and strength in Jezzine and South Lebanon whether through municipal councils or local mukhtars.
LBCI
23-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Jadal Duration 02:12:43 Aired May 23 2025 Previous Episodes Mario Abboud discussed in this episode of "Jadal" fate of Syrian refugees in Lebanon and key local issues with his guests, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, Former Ministers Rashid Derbas and Hector Hajjar, General Coordinator of the "National Campaign for the Return of Displaced Persons" Maroun Al-Khawli, Researcher and Writer Sohaib Jawhar, with the weekly appearance of political analyst and writer Nabil Bou Monsef. Political Social Watch now More details about online video viewing packages
Jadal Duration 02:12:43 Mario Abboud discussed in this episode of "Jadal" fate of Syrian refugees in Lebanon and key local issues with his guests, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, Former Ministers Rashid Derbas and Hector Hajjar, General Coordinator of the "National Campaign for the Return of Displaced Persons" Maroun Al-Khawli, Researcher and Writer Sohaib Jawhar, with the weekly appearance of political analyst and writer Nabil Bou Monsef.
