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
Warner holds out IPL hot shot Fraser
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Hyped as the next David Warner by astute judges of his phenomenal batting2024-05-22Anthony Edwards reveals why he does NOT want to be compared to Michael Jordan
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has revealed why he does not want to be compared to Mich2024-05-22Hino truck owners in line for one
Drivers of a particular type of truck could miss out on payouts of up to $15,000 as part of a $237.52024-05-22Inside Charles Spencer's bitter feud with the royals over Princess Diana
Although neither King Charles nor Prince William attended Prince Harry's Invictus event in St Paul's2024-05-22- MORELIA, Mexico (AP) — Mexico’s often violent disputes between street performers reached a new level2024-05-22
Trump trial turns to sex, bank accounts and power: Highlights from the third week of testimony
WASHINGTON (AP) — The alleged sexual encounter at the center of Donald Trump’s criminal hush money t2024-05-22
atest comment