Lebanon denies discriminatory measures against Syrian refugees

By Naim Burjawi

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AA) - Lebanon has denied reports about taking discriminatory measures against Syrian refugees in the country.

In a statement, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry said Lebanon has not taken any measures or decisions that would distinguish between the displaced Syrians and Lebanese citizens.

The ministry said the global food crisis is worsening the economic and financial problems in Lebanon.

"Lebanon has repeatedly warned that this reality will inevitably lead to competition between the Lebanese, Palestinian refugees and displaced Syrians over limited food resources," it said.

"There is no doubt that the continuation of this situation will lead to an increase in the level of tension, and indeed in the rate of security incidents against all marginalized groups in Lebanon," the statement added.

On Saturday, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warned of rising tensions between Lebanese nationals and Syrian refugees amid discriminatory rhetoric against Syrians in the country.

In a statement, the UN agency expressed "grave concern over the restrictive practices and discriminatory measures activated on the basis of nationality, which affects the refugees and other marginalized groups." It cited a series of violent assaults and crimes against Syrian refugees by Lebanese citizens.

Lebanon hosts around 1.5 million Syrian refugees, about 900,000 of whom are registered at UNHCR.

Most of the refugees suffer from tough living conditions, especially with the exacerbation of the Lebanese economic crisis on one hand and the global economic crisis on the other.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara