The Daily Star
BEIRUT: The Social Affairs Ministry has defended its relief efforts regarding Syrian refugees in Lebanon, following calls by the U.S. Embassy for Lebanon to cooperate with international organizations and provide the displaced with protection.
"The Social Affairs Ministry is fully coordinating with the High Relief Commission and the UNHCR and many local and international organizations," the ministry said in a statement Friday, adding that it has been following up on the humanitarian conditions of the refugees.
The U.S. Embassy issued a statement Thursday saying that a delegation from the embassy had traveled to north Lebanon to follow up on the status of Syrian civilians and investigate press reports that Lebanese security agencies had repatriated some of the displaced against their will.
"The United States calls upon on the Lebanese government to work with the [UNHCR ] and other international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross to fulfill its obligations under international law to provide protection to Syrian citizens fleeing to Lebanese territory," the embassy said in a statement.
In response, the Social Affairs Ministry urged the embassy to check the accuracy of its information before circulating statements to the media, saying: “We reassure those concerned for the civilians that they are receiving proper care without any manipulation or politicization," the statement said.
A large influx of Syrian refugees has crossed into northern Lebanese town of Wadi Khaled in the past month, following a security crackdown by the Syrian authority on the town of Tall Kalakh, a town five kilometers north of the Lebanese border.
Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 15 as demonstrators demand reform in the tightly controlled Arab state. The Syrian leadership has repeatedly described the protest as a conspiracy against the country, cracking down on protestors and prompting an international condemnation toward violence used against protestors.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the Syrian authority Friday informed Syrian refugees in Lebanon that they should return to Syria and are allowed to use the Bkayaa border crossing to do so.
Syrian authorities began a crackdown on the crossing two weeks ago to halt the flow of refugees in either direction.
Security sources told The Daily Star that Tall Kalakh Sheikh Osama Mohammad Ali Akary and head of the Tall Kalakh municipality Mohammad al-Haris arrived from Syria through the Arida border crossing to urge Syrian refugees to go back to their hometown.
The delegation said that the border will be open from 6 a.m. till 7 p.m. daily.
The Lebanese government, residents of Wadi Khaled and other nongovernmental organizations have assisted Syrian refugees in Wadi Khaled by putting up tents and opening up mosques to accommodate the large number of refugees.
"The Social Affairs Ministry is fully coordinating with the High Relief Commission and the UNHCR and many local and international organizations," the ministry said in a statement Friday, adding that it has been following up on the humanitarian conditions of the refugees.
The U.S. Embassy issued a statement Thursday saying that a delegation from the embassy had traveled to north Lebanon to follow up on the status of Syrian civilians and investigate press reports that Lebanese security agencies had repatriated some of the displaced against their will.
"The United States calls upon on the Lebanese government to work with the [UNHCR ] and other international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross to fulfill its obligations under international law to provide protection to Syrian citizens fleeing to Lebanese territory," the embassy said in a statement.
In response, the Social Affairs Ministry urged the embassy to check the accuracy of its information before circulating statements to the media, saying: “We reassure those concerned for the civilians that they are receiving proper care without any manipulation or politicization," the statement said.
A large influx of Syrian refugees has crossed into northern Lebanese town of Wadi Khaled in the past month, following a security crackdown by the Syrian authority on the town of Tall Kalakh, a town five kilometers north of the Lebanese border.
Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 15 as demonstrators demand reform in the tightly controlled Arab state. The Syrian leadership has repeatedly described the protest as a conspiracy against the country, cracking down on protestors and prompting an international condemnation toward violence used against protestors.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the Syrian authority Friday informed Syrian refugees in Lebanon that they should return to Syria and are allowed to use the Bkayaa border crossing to do so.
Syrian authorities began a crackdown on the crossing two weeks ago to halt the flow of refugees in either direction.
Security sources told The Daily Star that Tall Kalakh Sheikh Osama Mohammad Ali Akary and head of the Tall Kalakh municipality Mohammad al-Haris arrived from Syria through the Arida border crossing to urge Syrian refugees to go back to their hometown.
The delegation said that the border will be open from 6 a.m. till 7 p.m. daily.
The Lebanese government, residents of Wadi Khaled and other nongovernmental organizations have assisted Syrian refugees in Wadi Khaled by putting up tents and opening up mosques to accommodate the large number of refugees.
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