Minister of Information in the caretaker government, Ziad Makkari, issued a letter titled "Syrian Displacement in Lebanon and Its Implications" to televisions regarding handling the issue "from a purely national standpoint and ensuring that it is not perceived as having a racist tone."
In the details, the letter states: "Referring to the Syrian displacement issue, and given that its implications are severe for the Lebanese society as a whole, with serious consequences for Lebanon; and considering that this issue has become a significant burden on the Lebanese people, possibly leading the country to undesirable outcomes, we feel the gravity of this matter. Thus, from our national responsibility and in accordance with item seven of the Cabinet decisions dated 11/9/2023, which authorized the Ministry of Information to launch awareness campaigns on the risks of displacement on both the Syrian and Lebanese communities, we kindly request your esteemed administrations to provide the necessary directives to your news and political program departments to address this issue purely from a national perspective, highlighting it with seriousness and responsibility, and clarifying its effects and implications on Lebanon. This should be done through accuracy and clarity in tackling it by verifying facts and figures from official sources, and ensuring that this issue is not approached in a manner that could be interpreted as racist, nor as bearing implications related to the political variances occurring in Lebanon, while also aligning with the related measures and actions undertaken by the government, until the Lebanese state can address this issue fundamentally and find solutions for it based on the supreme national interest."
Makkari concluded his letter by thanking the media outlets for their "cooperation for the benefit of Lebanon and its people."
