ASIA/LEBANON - Maronite Bishops' appeal: a global plan for the repatriation of Syrian refugees is needed

Thursday, 3 August 2017 middle east   oriental churches   refugees  

Arabpress.eu

Beirut (Agenzia Fides) - Lebanese civilian institutions are urged to adopt a "global plan" in a hurry to arrange for the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland, who found shelter in Lebanon. This is what Maronite Bishops demand in the statement released at the end of their monthly meeting, which took place on Wednesday, August 2 at the patriarchal seat in Dimane, under the presidency of Patriarch Bechara Butros Rai. According to the Maronite Bishops, the absence of a global plan to handle the migrant emergency is already causing huge damage to the Lebanese nation.
More than a million Syrian refugees present in Lebanon are registered at UN offices and structures, and this is a partial figure, since many refugees have not undergone any form of registration at international organizations or at Lebanese institutions. The Maronite Patriarch had made a similar appeal to Lebanese President Michel Aoun already on Sunday, July 16, during the homily on the occasion of the feast of St. Charbel. "Despite our solidarity with the refugees", said Patriarch Rai, the Lebanese hope that the process will be reconsidered in order to ensure a safe return in their own country by setting aside the various political positions that hinder the desired solutions". (GV) Agenzia Fides, 3/8/2017)


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