Gemayel Calls for Deportation of Syrians Who Entered Lebanon Illegally

Kataeb Leader Samy Gemayel emphasized the severity of the ongoing crisis and its potential to fundamentally alter Lebanon.

"Several meetings have taken place and numerous proposals have been put forth by various blocs, including the Kataeb Party, with consensus on the solution," Gemayel said during a parliament session devoted to discussing the aid and the displaced Syrians' file.

He stressed that enforcing existing laws could alleviate approximately 80% of the problem, pointing out that 80% of Syrians in Lebanon are illegal.

Gemayel highlighted that his party had submitted a proposal paper.

Among the solutions proposed, Gemayel called for border control measures and the deportation of Syrians who entered Lebanon illegally, questioning why laws are not enforced despite Lebanese consensus on the issue.

He observed that laws remain unenforced due to a lack of political will, attributing this decision to a known political team controlling the government, against whom his opposition party stands.

"There is no longer a war in Syria, and most areas are safe, rendering humanitarian grounds for residency obsolete. Syrians are capable of returning, but before we contemplate sea crossings and complicate matters with the international community, why not consider the simplest means to relocate illegal refugees to the border? It is the duty of the Syrian state to open its doors to its citizens."

Gemayel questioned why the Syrian state has not fulfilled its duty to receive its citizens, asking, "What is preventing us from returning illegal Syrians to their borders and allowing them to enter their country?"

He considered that the core issue lies with the political team controlling the state, which avoids resolving the matter to use it as leverage in lifting the Syrian embargo and exerting pressure globally.

 "What prevents the Prime Minister from enforcing the laws?" he asked.

"Recent statements calling for lifting the Syrian embargo confirm the issue is political and the decision is political, as all legal measures are available to the Prime Minister, but there is a political decision to hold Lebanon captive and maintain it as a legislative platform and pawn in regional conflicts, aiming to cleanse the Syrian regime of its isolation and launder money through Lebanon," Gemayel explained.

He emphasized that true liberation for the people will only come when the state frees itself from the existing nightmare.