The Cabinet has taken a series of decisions regarding the file of Syrian displaced persons, deciding to prevent the entry of Syrians through illegal means and to take immediate actions regarding their repatriation. They have called for an increase in meetings of sub-security councils in the relevant border governorates. The Cabinet also emphasized the necessity of implementing the decision by the Prime Minister dated February 28, 2023, concerning the withdrawal of personnel assigned to escort and protect individuals, in violation of the law, to reinforce the number of personnel executing border tasks.
The Minister of Information in the caretaker government, Ziad Makary, during the reading of the Cabinet’s decisions, indicated that "the Cabinet decided to circulate to municipalities the obligation to immediately report any suspicious movements and gatherings related to the Syrian displaced persons, especially regarding their smuggling within their jurisdiction." He announced a "prompt survey of Syrian displaced persons residing in the municipality’s area, forming a database about them, and removing all encroachments and violations on the existing infrastructure in the places where the displaced persons reside."
He added, "The Cabinet confirmed the necessity of stringent measures against violations related to shops operating within the municipal boundaries by Syrians without the necessary licenses, and to close them immediately and refer the violators to the relevant judiciary." The Minister of Information noted that "all organizations, especially foreign ones, will be required to coordinate with ministries, departments, and military and security agencies, under the threat of revoking their registration, based on reports submitted for this purpose by the relevant departments and agencies, especially by the General Directorate of General Security." Furthermore, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is requested to intensify cooperation with ministries and security and military agencies to create suitable and immediate conditions for the safe return of Syrian displaced persons.
He clarified that "the Ministry of Justice will request the public prosecution to intensify actions against those involved in the smuggling of displaced persons across the borders into Lebanon," adding, "to expedite the trials that alleviate the overcrowding issue in prisons." He announced the intensification of diplomatic efforts to explain the gravity of this issue on Lebanon and regional and European security, especially in light of the weakened capabilities to control smuggling operations through Lebanese territorial land and waters.
The Cabinet also discussed a series of proposals and recommendations that Prime Minister Mikati had previously examined with ministers in a consultative meeting attended by the Army Commander, the Director General of General Security, and the Secretary-General of the Higher Defense Council, after the morning session was not held due to a lack of quorum. It was decided to continue discussions on the draft budget law tomorrow at eleven in the morning.
Additionally, it was determined to assign Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh Al-Shami to create specialized committees to put the legal texts related to the government’s economic recovery plan into action, which addresses some of the following reform items: unified income tax law, draft amendments to and updates of the public accounting law, restructuring the public sector and public institutions, a planning and coordination body, and setting standards for information systems in the Lebanese state, customs reform, controlling tax evasion in value-added tax registration, and luxury tax.
Participants in the session included Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh Al-Shami, and ministers: Education and Higher Education Judge Abbas Halabi, Economy and Trade Amin Salam, Information Ziad Makary, Youth and Sports George Kallas, Finance Youssef Khalil, State Minister for Administrative Development Najla Riachi, Industry George Boukhian, Communications Johnny Qarm, Interior and Municipalities Judge Bassam Mawlawi, Culture Judge Muhammad Wissam Mortada, Health Firas Al-Obeid, Labor Mustafa Bayram, Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh, and Displaced Persons Issam Charafeddine. Also present were Dr. Antoine Chaqir, Director General of the Presidency, and Judge Mahmoud Makiyeh, Secretary-General of the Cabinet.
