Refugee agency chief warns that the number of Syrians leaving Lebanon is likely to rise
BRUSSELS (AP) — The number of Syrian refugees leaving Lebanon is likely to keep rising, the head of a top international agency working with migrants warned Tuesday, as pressure builds due to their arrival on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.
Amy Pope, director general of the International Organization for Migration, said that around 3,000 Syrians have left Lebanon since January, compared to 4,500 for the whole of last year. Many of them have headed to Cyprus, about 110 miles (180 kilometers) away.
In response, Cyprus suspended the processing of asylum applications by Syrian nationals earlier this month due to the large numbers. Cypriot authorities have reportedly dispatched police patrol vessels just outside Lebanese territorial waters to thwart refugee boats trying to head to Cyprus.
Pope told The Associated Press that governments are cutting aid funding to agencies working with people who have fled Syria, which has been ravaged by civil war for over 13 years, and that this is making things worse. At the same time, some Lebanese communities are getting tired of hosting them.
Related articles
How Diddy made himself the 'victim' in apology video where he does not mention ex
Sean 'Diddy' Combs made himself sound like a victim in the Instagram apology video he posted in the2024-05-21Biden revives effort to lower costs of caregiving for families
WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Joe Biden runs for reelection, he’s resurrecting proposals to reshape2024-05-21Jessica Biel goes braless beneath plunging pink feather
Jessica Biel wowed in a plunging pink gown as she arrived at the 2024 Met Gala in NYC on Monday.The2024-05-21Fans are following Taylor Swift to Europe after finding Eras Tour tickets less costly there
LONDON (AP) — Thousands of ride-or-die Taylor Swift fans who missed out on her U.S. concert tour las2024-05-21Iran helicopter crash: President Raisi, the supreme leader's protege, dies at 63
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a hard-line protege of the count2024-05-21Chinese New Year: Conveying a message of unity and hope
Lion dancers perform at Trafalgar Square to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in London, Britain2024-05-21
atest comment