Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to US Envoy Morgan Ortagus: Southerners must be enabled to return to their homes and rebuild
Syrian sources: The Israeli occupation has begun withdrawing from the areas it infiltrated last night in the Quneitra countryside.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Massive bombings in eastern Gaza, the second within half an hour, and its sound was heard from central area.
Russian air defense units destroyed a drone that was heading toward Moscow.
Maduro: Tomorrow, a business meeting will be held bringing together hundreds of entrepreneurs from advanced Russian industries with hundreds of Venezuelan businesspeople.

Lebanon's Bassil calls for return of 'army of Syrian refugees'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen
  • 26 Apr 2025 01:12
  • 1 Shares
2 Min Read

The leader of the Free Patriotic Movement described the presence of Syrian refugees in Lebanon as "human occupation," calling for their return to their home country.

Listen
  • x
  • Lebanon's Bassil calls for return of 'army of Syrian refugees'
    Gebran Bassil, a Lebanese lawmaker and head of the Free Patriotic Movement, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press, in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 17, 2022. (AP)

The head of the Lebanese Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and Member of Parliament, Gebran Bassil, described the presence of Syrian refugees in Lebanon as a form of "human occupation," saying that it threatens the country's national sovereignty and identity. 

In an interview with a Lebanese news platform, Spot Shot, Bassil said that the presence of Syrian refugees in Lebanon can no longer be justified, calling for the withdrawal of what he said is an "army of Syrian refugees."

He asserted that the Lebanese government is taking a "dangerous" approach, claiming that it is legitimizing the unlawful presence of millions of Syrians in Lebanon.

Related News

2 killed, 11 injured in armed attack on passenger bus in Syria

Israeli forces raid Syrian military barracks in Quneitra: SOHR

Bassil claimed that the continued presence of refugees in Lebanon constitutes a violation of both local and international laws, arguing that the original reasons for their displacement no longer apply. He called for a reassessment of Lebanon’s refugee policies, particularly in light of recent political developments in Syria.

He stated that the Free Patriotic Movement has acted independently since 2011 to curb what he described as a worsening refugee crisis. Bassil also criticized other political factions for aligning with foreign agendas, saying that the refugee issue has been used as a tool to apply pressure on Syria in recent years.

Bassil further asserted that with the fall of the Syrian regime, the rationale for the refugees' continued stay had also dissipated. He called for a wide national effort to facilitate their return while underscoring the importance of maintaining normal relations with both Syria and the Syrian people.

The Lebanese Member of Parliament is set to address supporters on Saturday in a speech marking the anniversary of the Syrian Arab Army’s withdrawal from Lebanon. Bassil said that he rejects incitement against Syrians, adding that he has no issue with those residing in Lebanon legally.

Read more: Over 175,000 Syrian refugees return from Turkiye since December

  • Syria
  • Syrian refugees
  • Damascus
  • Gebran Bassil
  • Lebanon
  • Free Patriotic Movement

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Delta Air Lines flight lands at Harry Reid International Airport, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Las Vegas (AP)
Politics

Nearly 3,800 US flights disrupted amid ongoing government shutdown

FILE - The Amazon logo is pictured at the Amazon Robotic Sorting Fulfillment Center in Madison County, Miss., Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Economy

Amazon to cut 30,000 jobs in largest layoff in company history

Eurofighter Typhoon Spain's Air Force fighter jets fly above the military parade marking 'Día de la Hispanidad', or Hispanic Day, in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP)
Politics

UK sells 20 Eurofighter jets to Türkiye in £8bln defense agreement

Smoke billows after drone strikes by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the northern port in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, Sudan, May 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

RSF tighten El Fasher siege as Sudan risks fragmentation: Reuters

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS