Lebanese Forces Party leader, Samir Geagea, on Friday met with UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, in Maarab, accompanied by political affairs officers Lisa Muur and Lina Kadouh. The meeting, also attended by MP Razi El Hajj and former Minister Richard Kouyoumjian, focused on the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon.

Geagea, in his capacity as head of the largest parliamentary bloc, presented a letter to UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, addressing the issue. The letter criticizes the handling of the Syrian refugee situation by the UNHCR's regional office in Beirut.

Following the meeting, MP El Hajj elaborated on the contents of the letter, highlighting several key points:

- Lebanon faces severe challenges, notably the chaotic presence of illegal Syrian refugees, comprising nearly 45% of the population.

- The UNHCR's approach exacerbates the crisis by integrating Syrians into Lebanese society rather than facilitating their resettlement in a third country or their return to Syria, where over 90% of the land is deemed safe.

- The UNHCR refuses to provide complete data on registered refugees to Lebanese authorities and fails to adhere to the 2003 memorandum of understanding, which designated Lebanon as a transit country, not a host country, and mandated a one-year limit for refugee presence.

- The UNHCR has overstepped its authority by issuing refugee cards and residency permits, encroaching on Lebanese sovereignty.

- Diplomatic protocol breaches were noted, including a recent retracted communication to the Ministry of Interior.

The letter urges Guterres to instruct the UNHCR office in Lebanon to:

- Immediately cease the criticized practices.

- Comply with the 2003 memorandum of understanding.

- Regularly provide data on illegal Syrian refugees to Lebanese authorities.

El Hajj warned that failure to meet these demands could lead to legal action, potentially resulting in the closure of UNHCR offices in Beirut and suspension of its operations in Lebanon.