Lebanese foreign minister: We cannot be the only ones receiving refugees
In an interview with Al-Monitor, Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil talks about the Syrian refugee crisis and the effects of the presidential vacancy on his country.
![MIDEAST-CRISIS/SYRIA-LEBANON-MIGRANTS Lebanon's Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil talks during an interview with Reuters at his office in Beirut September 10, 2015. Arab countries should share the burden in supporting and hosting Syrian refugees, Bassil said on Thursday, highlighting the pressure a growing crisis has put on Syria's immediate neighbours. REUTERS/Jamal Saidi - RTSIRQ](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2015/09/RTSIRQ.jpg/RTSIRQ.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=zQAKwTzT)
NEW YORK — In an interview with Al-Monitor, Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil focused on the challenges of providing shelter and support for more than 2 million refugees, who now make up almost 50% of Lebanon’s population, and called on the international community to do more. He noted that “Lebanon cannot be the only one receiving refugees. We can give humanitarian assistance to people in need, but not be a political recipient for the problems of Syria.”
In response to a question about Lebanon’s presidential vacancy and its impact on the management of the crisis in Syria, Bassil said, “With a good, strong president, you can have the real decision to fight terrorism and to put Lebanon at the heart of the battle.” He added, “All the problems coming from Syria can be stopped at the Lebanese border if the country is being ruled and directed by a strong president.”