Brussels, 03/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 2 December, Lebanon's Prime Minister Tammam Saeb Salam called on the European Union to support his country more, which is currently hosting over a million Syrian refugees and suffering acts of terrorism.
“The conflict in Syria is having a particularly serious impact on Lebanon, which is currently hosting the biggest number of refugees per inhabitant - with all that this means from an economic, political, social and security point of view (…) Our hospitality is being very harshly tested. This is too much to ask of us. We can't cope on our own”, he warned.
While welcoming the support already given by the EU and its member states, Salam stated that this was “an unprecedented crisis, which requires an unprecedented response”. “The issue of the Syrian refugees is a real problem. We've reached the limit of our capacities. We need more humanitarian and financial aid, and support for our institutions and structures”, he said. He added that the EU could also help Lebanon under the neighbourhood policy. In his opinion, support is not only economic but also means supporting “the philosophy of co-existence, of tolerance, of openness and diversity”, which Lebanon represents.
Salam also said that his country and his region were faced with terrorism. “The time has come to launch a call for support from our armed forces”, he said, stating that terrorists are well armed and well equipped.
In addition, Salam spoke about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Recalling Israel's settlement and confiscation of land, he said that the EU was “well-placed” to speak out against this behaviour and could use “a huge arsenal of diplomatic and economic means to defend a just and comprehensive peace based on fair conditions and the respect of international law”. Salam stated that the lack of outlook for a serious political process was causing “alarming instability” that was resulting in “more extremism to the detriment of more moderation - which is needed”. (CG)