Lebanon Calls on UNHCR to Not Interfere in its Sovereign Powers

Lebanon called on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) not to interfere with the sovereign powers and to abide by the laws of all residents of Lebanese territory. This came during the summoning of Lebanon's Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Abdallah Bou Habib to UNHCR Representative in Lebanon Ivo Freijsen to inform him of the decisions regarding the Syrian displacement file, the most prominent of which was the delivery of the displaced persons data in full and without delay, within a maximum deadline of the end of this month to the General Directorate of Public Security in the country. The Lebanese Foreign Ministry explained in a statement that the UN Representative was informed of the necessity of respecting the principles of communication with the relevant Lebanese ministries and departments, not exceeding the powers legally assigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, not interfering in the sovereign powers of Lebanon, and to adhere to Lebanese laws for all individ uals and organizations residing on Lebanese territory, which are originally compatible with all international legislation. Bou Habib also affirmed in the statement that Lebanon is not a country of asylum but rather a country of transit, and his respect for the spirit of the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the status of refugees, even though Lebanon is not a signatory to this convention, explaining Lebanons adherence to the principles and purposes of the UN as a founding state of this organization, stressing on his desire for the best relations with the UN and its affiliated international organizations, and his respect for all legal conventions and norms, including international humanitarian law. He said that if the guidelines are not adhered to and continue to exceed the limits of jurisdiction, the ministry will be forced to reconsider its dealings with the UNHCR, similar to the measures taken by other countries against the UNHCR when it commits similar violations. Source: Qatar News Agency