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:
Related suggestion:
Minor league infielder Keiner Delgado traded from Yankees to Pittsburgh PiratesBrowns, center Brian Allen agree to 1Mobile sports betting will remain illegal in Mississippi after legislation diesPolice in Georgia use tear gas, water cannons to disperse protest against soSome North Carolina abortion pill restrictions are unlawful, federal judge saysAbuse allegations against former Olympic rower, coach found to be credible, US Rowing probe saysHeat rule rookie forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. out of Game 5 vs. Celtics with hip injurySteve Gleason, 47, reveals his daily 'exorcism' as he battles ALS: ExTravis Kelce agrees to new TWOCynthia Erivo dazzles in black and white dress at the 49th Chaplin Awards ceremony in New York City
2.6641s , 5260.8359375 kb
Copyright © 2024 Powered by Refugee agency chief warns that the number of Syrians leaving Lebanon is likely to rise ,International Issue news portal