Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (C) poses for pictures with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (R) and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Beirut on May 2, 2024. Photo by Anwar AMRO / AFP.
Beirut, Lebanon: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday announced $1 billion in aid to Lebanon during a visit to the crisis-hit country and urged it to tackle illegal migration to the bloc.
The European Union has already agreed deals with Egypt, Tunisia, Mauritania and other countries aimed at helping stem flows of irregular migrants.
"I can announce a financial package of $1 billion for Lebanon that would be available from this year until 2027," von der Leyen said, adding that "we want to contribute to Lebanon's socio-economic stability".
The European Commission president said the aid was designed to strengthen basic services such as education and health in the country mired in a severe economic crisis.
The bloc will also support the Lebanese army, with the aid "mainly focused on providing equipment and training for border management", she said.
The EU Commission's spokesman told reporters in Brussels that the aid will be disbursed "in grants".
He said "736 million euros, will be to support Lebanon in response to the Syrian crisis".
"264 million euros will be for bilateral cooperation... notably to support the security services of the country, army," including with border management, he added.
Two million refugees -Von der Leyen said the EU was committed to maintaining "legal pathways open to Europe" and resettling refugees to the bloc, but added that "at the same time, we count on your good cooperation to prevent illegal migration and combat migrant smuggling".
Lebanon's economy collapsed in late 2019, turning the country into a launchpad for migrants, with Lebanese joining Syrians and Palestinian refugees making perilous voyages bound for Europe.
The authorities say Lebanon currently hosts around two million people from neighbouring war-torn Syria -- the world's highest number of refugees per capita -- with almost 785,000 registered with the United Nations.
"We understand the challenges that Lebanon faces with hosting Syrian refugees and other displaced persons," said von der Leyen, adding the EU had supported Lebanon with 2.6 billion euros to host those people.
People smuggling
Von der Leyen was accompanied by Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides, who was on his second visit to Lebanon in less than a month.
Cyprus, the EU's easternmost member is located less than 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Lebanon and Syria, and wants to curb migrant boat departures from Lebanon towards its shores.
"I am very confident that this package announced today will enhance the capacity of Lebanese authority to handle various challenges including controlling land and maritime borders, ensuring the safety of its citizens, fight against people smuggling and continue their fight against terrorism," Christodoulides said.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said: "We reiterate our request to the European Union... to help displaced people in their own countries to encourage them to return voluntarily, and thus guarantee them a decent life in their country of origin.
