EU money and logistical support for Lebanon, in exchange for restrictions on refugees

NOS News•today, 12:23

The European Union has struck a deal with Lebanon on financial and logistical support in exchange for reducing the number of refugees coming to the EU. Until 2027, the country can count on a package of one billion euros; the Lebanese Armed Forces will receive equipment and training to improve border security.

President Von der Leyen of the European Commission, together with Cypriot President Christodoulides, made agreements about this in Beirut with Prime Minister Mikati of Lebanon.

More and more refugees staying in Lebanon, especially from Syria, are trying to reach the EU via Cyprus. Their living conditions are getting worse and there is a lot of resistance to the refugees in Lebanon.

The EU now fears a new refugee crisis. For example, 78 refugees arrived in Cyprus in the first quarter of 2023, compared to 2,000 in the same period this year.

Lebanon wants the EU and the UN to declare parts of Syria safe in order to send refugees back to Syria. Lebanon hosts the most refugees in the world per capita: there are around 1.5 million Syrians alone, most of whom live in refugee camps under dire circumstances.

Violence in Syria has flared up again in recent months and both the UN and EU asylum agencies consider the country unsafe. Refugees who return are often targeted by the regime of dictator Assad.

The deal that Von der Leyen has now concluded is an extension of existing practice: the EU already provides a lot of support for refugee reception and border reinforcement to Lebanon, which is struggling with a collapsed economy, sky-high inflation and widespread corruption.