The Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs in the caretaker government, Hector Hajjar, spares no effort in order to resolve a difficult crisis that has taken Lebanon by storm as Beirut is experiencing one of the most severe and suffocating socio-economic crises in its history.

The issue of displaced Syrians has been the focus of Hajjar since taking office.

On Wednesday, the ministerial committee responsible for the affairs of the displaced, headed by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, convened to discuss the matter of the Syrians currently present in Lebanon.

Al Mayadeen Net covered the meeting and took care to note Hajjar's comments after the session to get the latest updates on the government's position.

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An estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees currently reside in Lebanon, while only 900 thousand are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, most of whom suffer from difficult living conditions.

Compared to Lebanon's population, at approximately 5.5 million per the United Nations in June 2022, and its small geographical area (10,452 km), and as the country faces deteriorating economic and social conditions, the issue could lead to unforeseen repercussions in the near future according to observers, especially amid the international community and Western countries' failure to deal seriously and quickly with the matter, instead turning it into a ticking time bomb in Lebanon.

Read more: UN refugee agency chief says help Lebanon's most vulnerable

Dropping the refugee status... an "advanced step"

Hajjar reaffirmed after the meeting Lebanons' position on resolutions No. 38 dated 10/23/2014 related to the government's policy regarding displaced Syrians, and No. 2 dated1/7/2020 related to the general policy presented by the Ministry of Social Affairs on the return of displaced.

He added that the Lebanese authorities "will ask the High Commissioner for Displaced Affairs, and within a maximum period of one week from its date, to provide the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities with all the data the it possesses regarding displaced Syrians...provided that the status of a displaced person be revoked from Syrians leaving the Lebanese territory, and that security services be requested to strictly pursue violators and prevent the entry of Syrians through illegal means."

It is noteworthy that "37,000 Syrians left to Syria during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, and then returned to Lebanon after the end of the holidays, which denies them the status of displaced," as revealed by the Lebanese Minister of Labor at the meeting.

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Hajjar requested that security services be strict in pursuing violators and prevent the entry of Syrians through illegal means, and also asked the Ministries of Interior and Municipalities and Social Affairs to carry out their legal requirements in terms of registering the births of Syrians on Lebanese territory, in coordination with the High Commissioner for Displaced Affairs. 

The minister also pointed out that foreign countries must also participate in bearing the burden of displaced Syrians, especially in light of their increasing number amid the worsening economic crisis.

Hajjar had earlier said, during a visit to Syria in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit in the country in February, "during the 2006 war, Syrians opened their doors to displaced Lebanese, and took them into their homes. After the war erupted in Syria in 2011, Lebanese in all regions also unconditionally accepted displaced Syrians and opened their homes to them."

In light of the turmoil that erupted on news outlets and social media platforms about the targeted campaign against the displaced Syrians in Lebanon, he added that "displaced Syrians are not being deported, rather those destabilizing Lebanon's security are the ones being deported, as they are illegally entering Lebanon and are not registered with the UNHCR." The minister continues: "Not every Syrian on Lebanese territory is a refugee, and what the Lebanese army and security forces are working on is pursuing rioters, thieves, and individuals disrupting stability across the country.”

Those who play with fire are now warned

“I warn those playing with fire in this file to slow down,” Hajjar says, stressing that “the rapid escalation [regarding this matter] raises big questions, especially since the matter of the displaced Syrians has been the focus of the government for some time," adding that the atmosphere in Lebanon "is heading toward chaos in order to exploit the issue both on the domestic and international level.”

In this regard, he calls on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to coordinate with the government and not to issue statements through the media, pointing out that "the Lebanese army is not transgressing against anyone, but is rather stopping those illegally entering Lebanon."

Hajjar: I hope organizations don't turn into mouthpieces

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had said earlier that it received reports of forced deportation of Syrians registered with the organization, and that it is following up on the matter with the relevant parties, calling for respect for international law.

Hajjar responded to the commissioner's statement, wishing upon her that "international organizations would show a little objectivity, rather than turning into political mouthpieces.

"Lebanon must explain to everyone and to the Arabs at the next Arab League meeting on May 19, without fear, that we have fulfilled our duties in the humanitarian aspect, and that what we have done is on behalf of all Arabs."

Regarding those who criticize Lebanon's approach to the international community in terms of dealing with the crisis of the displaced Syrians, Hajjar says, "The Syrian labor in our country is appreciated, and in the event of the reconstruction of Syria, Lebanon, its companies and institutions will have a role in that, but the issue lies in not replacing one's country [with another]... under the auspices of international law... This, will be totally rejected."

Europe's interest is in Lebanon remaining secure

The minister also added, "I ask all foreign countries and the UNHCR: Where will the displaced Syrians go if Lebanon is destabilized? Europe's top national interest lies in Lebanon lies in that the country remain safe. If Lebanon is destabilized, they will head to Europe."

In that context, Hajjar stressed on finalizing the return of displaced Syrians, which began under former Lebanese President Michel Aoun and the former Director of General Security Major General Abbas Ibrahim."

We must be part of the settlement in the region

Stressing the need for official pressure by the Lebanese government and other parties for the return of the displaced Syrians, Hajjar explains, “In light of all the regional changes that we are witnessing, the 'safe return' has become a natural and inevitable matter,” and “we must now focus on the 'rapid mass return' [of refugees] to certain provinces in Syria."

The Lebanese Minister called for "the Lebanese to be part of the great settlement that is taking place in the region, or it will be at their expense. We must be... part of the settlement, rather even the initiators and at the forefront of this settlement, and this will be in the interest of both Lebanon and displaced Syrians as well."