Lebanese politician Gebran Bassil reignites Syrian refugee issue ahead of elections

Lebanon's Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader and MP Gebran Bassil has once again stirred controversy over the issue of Syrian refugees, amid the approach of two key electoral milestones: municipal elections starting 4 May and parliamentary elections set for next year.

Speaking at a rally organised by the FPM on Saturday to mark the 20th anniversary of Syria's military withdrawal from Lebanon, Bassil framed the continued presence of Syrian refugees as "a disguised occupation under the banner of humanitarian aid" and called for "liberating Lebanon once again".

In his speech, Bassil escalated his criticism of the Lebanese government, accusing it of complacency towards the "dangers of displacement". He attacked the government's position, particularly targeting Minister of Social Affairs Hanine Sayyed and the Committee on Displaced Persons, accusing them of accepting a UN proposal based on "conditional voluntary return" - a move he denounced as a "national humiliation" and a betrayal of Lebanese sovereignty.

"Lebanon faces a real existential threat," Bassil declared. "The government talks of voluntary return while committing a new crime against the country. Our demand is clear and unwavering: immediate and unconditional return of all Syrian refugees."

He added that Prime Minister Nawaf Salam had promised a comprehensive refugee plan within two months but insisted that early signs of the plan amounted to a "scandal" that must be halted immediately.

However, government sources speaking to The New Arab's Arabic language edition, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, disputed Bassil’s claims.

They clarified that the government’s refugee repatriation plan was gradual and coordinated with Syrian authorities, aiming initially to return around 400,000 refugees.

The plan, sources said, was based not on "voluntary return" but rather on an "inevitable return" approach, contingent on minimum humanitarian and logistical guarantees to ensure sustainability, balancing both sovereign and humanitarian concerns.

A deeply politicised debate

Lebanon, a country of around 5.5 million people, hosts one of the highest numbers of refugees per capita in the world. Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, over 1.5 million Syrians have taken refuge in Lebanon, according to government estimates - although the UN counts around 780,000 registered refugees.

The mass influx has severely strained Lebanon’s already fragile economy, public services, and infrastructure, particularly amid the country’s own financial collapse since 2019.

Rising anti-refugee sentiment has increasingly coloured Lebanese political discourse, with some parties blaming Syrians for rising unemployment, crime, and pressure on resources - accusations widely rejected by rights organisations as scapegoating.

Successive Lebanese governments have faced intense domestic pressure to organise returns, even as the United Nations and humanitarian agencies stress that conditions in Syria remain unsafe for most refugees.

Public policy expert Ziad El Sayegh told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that instead of adopting a balanced, coordinated strategy, Lebanese governments over the past 13 years have handled the refugee issue with "denial, populism, and political opportunism".

Addressing Bassil's latest statements, El Sayegh said Lebanon urgently needs "a serious, objective reassessment" of its refugee policies, adding that real solutions must be devised through cooperation with both Damascus and the UN, with guarantees for safety, dignity, and long-term sustainability for returnees.

He stressed that closing illegal crossings - used by both refugees and smugglers - would be essential to prevent a cycle of repeated displacement.

For its part, the Free Patriotic Movement continues to position itself as the most hardline party on the refugee issue. FPM vice president Najji Hayek told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the party's position has been "consistent and firm," even when accused of xenophobia.

Hayek described Bassil’s speech as "a reminder of longstanding principles", denying that the timing had anything to do with upcoming municipal elections.

"We were never major players in municipal elections except in a few towns," he said. However, he admitted that the urgency of the refugee issue has grown, particularly "after the fall of the Syrian regime and the existence of a legitimate government in Lebanon."