It wasn’t a good week for Syrian refugees, as they were criticized by prominent politicians all the way in the US to Lebanon next door. At the Republican convention, former mayor of New York City claimed that accepting Syrian refugees into the US is a threat as some may be part of Daesh (ISIS). Then, a Lebanese MP blamed Syrian refugees for increased pollution in Lebanon’s Litani river, of all things.
An article by The Daily Star details the comments made by future MP Mohammad Qabbani. In actuality, his stance is more measured than one would immediately think. Qabbani claimed the influx of refugees into Lebanon’s Beqqa valley increased strains on the environment. He didn’t propose removing them, or insinuate they are in Daesh. Instead. Qabbani called for $20 million USD in government assistance to purify the river’s water.
At present, Lebanon hosts over 1 million Syrian refugees, according to UNHCR statistics.
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