Miqati’s Sources: Lebanon Seeking International Assistance in Aid to Syrian Refugees
The government suspended medical assistance to Syrian refugees in northern Lebanon pending negotiations with international agencies on supporting the Lebanese cabinet in guaranteeing the source of funding, Premier Najib Miqati’s circles said.
“Not a single international agency is helping the government in this burden,” they told As Safir newspaper published on Thursday.
Lebanon “decided to suspend the medical assistance temporarily pending the reorganization of the operation and the discussion with the international agencies on how to assist the government in guaranteeing the source of funding,” the sources said.
According to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 26,900 Syrians are registered refugees in Lebanon, though activists say the actual number of displaced is much higher.
Scores of wounded Syrians -- most of them arriving from neighboring areas such as Homs -- have also sought medical treatment in the relative safety of north Lebanon.
Lebanon has opened its public hospitals to the refugees, including the wounded, providing free of charge medical care.
In remarks to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3), Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas denied that the suspension of the assistance came as a result of the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
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