Minister of Social Affairs Rashid Derbas said Sunday that the new measures imposed on Syrians allow the Lebanese authorities to differentiate between the refugee and the visitor.
Syrians travelling to Lebanon are now required to apply for a visa as part of the government’s measures aiming to restrict refugees’ entry given the mounting crisis that has put immense pressure on the country.
In a short interview with Asharq al-Awsat pan-Arab daily, Derbas stressed the entry and exit of the refugees must be controlled in order to implement the new security strategy.
"The borders will not be closed and no Syrian refugee will be expulsed," he added.
"The Lebanese government is willing to cooperate with Syrian authorities on returning the refugees to their homeland, mainly those living in secure areas, however the other end did not respond to the request so far," Derbas concluded.
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