MP Elias Hankach said on Tuesday that Lebanon, which at one point hosted the highest number of Syrian refugees per capita in the world, deserves gratitude, not criticism, for bearing the brunt of a crisis “that was never Lebanon’s to begin with, but Syria’s.”

In an interview with Voice of Lebanon, Hankach emphasized that Lebanon’s generosity had saved countless lives, noting that displaced Syrians in the country often enjoyed significantly better living conditions than many Lebanese citizens, according to data from previous years.

While he had previously supported the notion of voluntary repatriation, Hankach said the time has come for a shift in approach.

“There’s no longer any reason to call it voluntary,” he said. “The return should be mandatory.”

“The international community has a responsibility to compensate Lebanon for shouldering twelve years of the refugee crisis,” he added. “What we need now is genuine support for host communities, particularly in education and healthcare.”

“Lebanon deserves the strongest possible backing for what it has endured throughout this crisis.”

Hankach also commented on the recent “Migration Pressures from the East” conference, saying that Lebanon’s representatives have a duty to “raise their voices, express the pain of the Lebanese people, and explain the current situation.” He noted that many countries were surprised by the scale of Lebanon’s economic losses and the number of Syrian refugees it continues to host.

Addressing the government’s recent decision to end healthcare coverage for displaced Syrians, Hankach said the move underscores the urgent need for a structured and accelerated return.

“Support for the displaced must be provided inside Syria, not in Lebanon,” he said, adding that Lebanon’s healthcare sector has been under immense strain and can no longer absorb additional pressure.

He concluded by insisting that there is no longer any political or humanitarian justification for keeping displaced Syrians in the country.

“There are no more excuses, whether sanctions or the Syrian regime,” he said. “It’s time for them to go home.”