Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati revealed the atmosphere of the Arab summit that took place in Bahrain, stating: "The Arab summits serve as an opportunity for Arab leaders to gather and attempt to unify regarding the issues presented, and to emerge with unified decisions that can form a base for launching a unified stance and action. It is true that the Arab peoples hoped for a stronger Arab position on the central issue, which is Palestine, but given the current Arab circumstances, what was achieved is good and should be followed to halt the Israeli aggression against Gaza and work towards a solution that grants the Palestinians their rights."
Regarding Lebanon's presence at the summit, Mikati stated in an interview with "An-Nahar": "I raised in my speech and the meetings I held the three challenges we face, foremost of which is the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon and the need to pressure to stop it, the complex file related to the presence of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, and the ongoing vacancy in the presidency. I found understanding for what I presented from all the leaders and figures I met. In the refugees file, the United Nations Secretary-General pledged to communicate with the UN Refugee Agency for total cooperation with Lebanon on this issue, in addition to his commitment to ensuring the continued provision of services by UNRWA for the Palestinian refugees residing in Lebanon."
### The Agency's Storm
The negative and worrying development emerged in recent hours, igniting a wave of official and political anger towards the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Lebanon. The agency sent a notably sharp and condescending letter to Minister of Interior in the caretaker government Bassam Mawlawi, which was considered outside the norms and protocols of diplomatic communication, especially in addressing a Lebanese official. In its letter, the agency urged the Interior Minister to stop what it described as "inhumane practices" against the Syrian refugees and strongly objected to the measures taken by the ministry regarding the seizure of motorcycles driven by Syrian refugees without identification documents.
It also protested against the role played by municipalities in implementing orders from the Interior Ministry regarding verification of the residency papers of individuals within each municipality's jurisdiction and shutting down shops managed by Syrian refugees illegally. The disclosure of the agency's letter in the media caused a significant uproar in Lebanese circles, especially as it objected to the legal measures being undertaken by municipalities in accordance with the orders of the Interior Ministry. This highlighted the unprecedented backlash represented this week through direct parliamentary action aimed at stopping the agency's practices, which have begun to exceed its role in financing the continued presence of Syrians in Lebanon.
