'Syrian refugee situation is uncontrollable'

The head of Lebanon's Phalanges Party, Amin Gemayel, has revealed that he held a meeting with President Michel Sleiman to discuss the potential repercussions of the Syrian situation on Lebanon. Speaking to Arabstoday, Gemayel added that President Sleiman is fearful of political parties deciding not to participate in the second round of Lebanese national dialogue to be held on January 7, after the failure of the first round due to the boycott from March 14 Forces. As of now, there has been no compromise on March 14's stance. Gemayel said: "I am not convinced that anyone would boycott the President's invitation. The success of this dialogue will be fruitful in the future." Gemayel added that "the President of the Republic is looking for a new form of dialogue between the Lebanese, to get out of that dangerous phase and maintain a level of calm and stability with insistence on a policy of distancing ourselves away from the conflict to protect Lebanon from the surrounding threats."  Speaking about the crisis of the displaced Syrians and Palestinians in Lebanon, and the possible ways to handle it, Gemayel said it is "a very complex issue, but the closure of borders is impossible, for humanitarian reasons." He attributed the crisis to the lack of clear demarcated border between Lebanon and Syria. "The situation is uncontrollable; we can’t control who enters and who exits. All who entered Lebanon are displaced and poor; how we can distinguish between displaced persons and thieves or terrorists?" He also called for the international community and organisations such as United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to help Lebanon in the face of this emerging humanitarian crisis, adding that "Lebanon cannot bear alone such serious crises in light of the size of the public debt and weak financial and economic resources." Gemayel also warned his fellow Lebanese leaders that they put themselves in danger though their involvement in the Syrian crisis. In reference to reports of death threats being received by leaders of the March 14 Forces, he said: "I do not think that any of the heads of the Lebanese officials are safe. I do not think that there is a safety net to protect the country. I can’t understand why leaders underestimate the risks of interference in Syrian affairs. This is a very dangerous game and it has put the region on the brink of a war." Gemayel concluded by saying that Lebanese leaders need to unite and feel the sense of responsibility, adding "the leaders who saved Lebanon in historical events acted with a sense of responsibility. Today, they must end the internal differences and save Lebanon from bigger troubles.”