Lebanon\'s concerns over refugee numbers

“The Syrian and Palestinian displacement into Lebanon has become a humanitarian and security problem,” Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbal stated today. The Minister added that the country cannot contain the numbers flowing in and that the cabinet will meet next week to discuss the matter. Charbal also explained that the security problem caused by the refugees were from “adhering to their disparate Syrian outlooks,” which causes unrest as well as a rise in crime levels. The Minister added that the unavailability of humanitarian aid to cover the large numbers encourages theft. Speaking about the FBI reports on the assassination of the later Brigade General Wissam al-Hassan, Charbal said the report was now in the hands of Lebanese prosecution authorities. The Minister added that the report “resembles those by Lebanese security agencies and nothing more.” On the threats directed at some political figures, the Minister said that “security agencies” were “liaising with all figures” that have greater security needs.