Hezbollah leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, has called on Lebanese authorities to allow migrant boats to reach Europe, amidst increasing anti-Syrian sentiment and accusations that the West is trying to keep refugees in Lebanon. Nasrallah’s statements appeared to push the European Union to act after it announced a $1 billion aid package to prevent irregular migration from Lebanon.
Critics in Lebanon have argued that the aid focuses on keeping refugees in the country, rather than addressing the root causes of migration. Nasrallah emphasized that the decision to leave for Europe should be voluntary, and not forced on displaced Syrians.
Lebanon currently hosts around two million Syrian refugees, and Nasrallah urged the government to coordinate with Syria to facilitate their return with assistance. He also called on parliament to lobby the EU and U.S. to lift sanctions on Syria, warning that without this, refugees may not be able to go back.
Despite concerns about the safety of returning to Syria, Lebanon is set to resume voluntary returns of Syrians. The country’s economic crisis has led to an increase in migration, with Lebanese nationals also attempting Europe-bound journeys. Pressure on refugees often escalates ahead of international conferences on Syria.