Aoun at UN General Assembly: Lebanon will not allow for settlement of any refugee or displaced, decision in this regard belongs to us!

21 Sep 2017

President of Lebanon, Michel Aoun, strongly emphasized Lebanon's stance against any settlement of refugees or displaced on its lands.

"Lebanon will not allow the settlement of any refugee or displaced on its territories, and the decision in this regards solely belongs to us," stressed Aoun, addressing the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday.

The President briefed the Assembly on the many difficulties and challenges facing Lebanon as a host country to huge numbers of displaced Syrians seeking refuge on its lands.

"The need has become urgent to organize the return of the displaced, after the situation has stabilized in most parts of their first homeland," Aoun underscored.

"There are those who refer to a voluntary return of refugees, while we refer to a safe return, distinguishing between the two, and the meetings of the group of states supporting Syria (ISSG) has confirmed that," he added.

"Collective asylum in its current form in Lebanon has happened for security or economic reasons, and to escape the dangers of war; hence, we call it displacement and not asylum. Furthermore, it was not coupled with the acceptance of the State nor was it individual, but rather occurred in the form of a population invasion," explained Aoun.

The President refused, herein, all claims that refugees will not be safe if they return home, considering it an "unacceptable argument," since approximately 85% of the Syrian territories are now in the custody of the State.

Touching on the issue of terrorism, President Aoun stated that Lebanon has succeeded in confronting terrorism that set fire to many countries in the region, and has managed to preserve its national unity despite all the severe political divisions that existed.

"Our army recently fought its final battle along our border with Syria, achieving a great victory over the terrorist organizations of "Daesh" and "Nusra" and their branches, and thus, ending their military presence in Lebanon," Aoun proudly stated.

He also pointed to the Israeli aggression against Lebanon, noting that "Israeli wars proved that military tanks and warplanes do not bring by solutions or peace."

"There is no peace without justice, and no justice except with respect for rights," Aoun strongly emphasized.

On the other hand, the President referred to the need for any solution to be accompanied by economic and social measures to achieve growth and improve the social conditions of people in the region, providing them with a decent and stable life. He highlighted the need for seriously considering the project of establishing a joint economic market to ensure a prosperous living within liberty.

Aoun concluded by stressing that "the role of Lebanon, and indeed its mission, is in the war on the ideology of terrorism," while nominating Lebanon for becoming "a permanent center for dialogue between different civilizations, religions and races, as a United Nations institution."

Aoun Holds Talks with U.N. Secretary-General  

President Michel Aoun held talks Thursday in New York with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the U.N. General Assembly, shortly after Aoun's speech before the world body.

A statement issued by the United Nations Information Center in Beirut said the two men “discussed developments in the region” and that Guterres “thanked Lebanon for its generosity in hosting refugees.”

“The Secretary-General and the President discussed efforts to increase international support for the country,” the Center added.

In his speech before the General Assembly, Aoun stressed that Lebanon will not allow the naturalization of any Syrian or Palestinian refugee on its soil “no matter what that might cost.”

The National News Agency said Guterres lauded Lebanon's cooperation with all U.N. agencies, especially on the issue of refugees.

The U.N. chief also tackled the role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), explaining the deliberations that accompanied the renewal of its mandate in late August, NNA said.

Moreover, Guterres noted that the ongoing coordination between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army is one of the necessary achievements on the path of Lebanon's extension of its sovereignty across its territory, hoping cooperation will be boosted in terms of preserving security and implementing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, the agency added.

Aoun for his part thanked the U.N. chief for “the support that the world body is offering in all fields.”

The president stressed that the Lebanese government will boost the army's presence in the South alongside UNIFIL's forces, emphasizing that “Lebanon wants peace and to protect its land, sovereignty and independence.”

“It therefore rejects any violation of its territory or Resolution 1701,” Aoun added.

The president also explained the army's achievements against the terrorist Islamic State and al-Nusra Front groups on the eastern border and officially asked Guterres for U.N. support for Lebanon's bid to become “a center for the dialogue of religions and cultures with the aim of enhancing the culture of peace.”

Guterres said the U.N. would support such a request, NNA added.