UAE Insists on Deporting 70 Lebanese
Local Editor
Prime Minister Tammam Salam, currently attending a conference in Egypt, said the decision was part of a series of security measures taken by the UAE, and that he was taking steps to resolve the issue, according to local media reports.
The UAE, which plays host to around 100,000 Lebanese, did not officially comment on the matter.
Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil Friday confirmed reports that the UAE had decided to deport the Lebanese individuals, adding that he had contacted his Emirati counterpart in a bid to resolve the matter.
"We have been informed by the Lebanese Embassy in Dubai that [UAE] authorities [have] decided to deport 70 Lebanese in the next 24 hours," Bassil wrote in a tweet.
Later, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Bassil had contacted the UAE's foreign minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, and other relevant parties in an attempt to resolve the issue, and had briefed Salam on the discussions. The ministry said Bassil spoke on the issue during Thursday's Cabinet session, sharing the information he had received on the matter.
The statement also said that the Foreign Ministry had tried to improve ties between Lebanon and the UAE, as evidenced by the recent reappointment of a Lebanese ambassador to the nation and bilateral discussions on consular, diplomatic and political problems.
"[The ministry believes] that Lebanese expats in the UAE are fully integrating into the UAE's society and adhering to UAE rules, and are a factor in the prosperity of this dear country," the statement read.
The ministry added that any act by a Lebanese individual or a limited number of Lebanese which did not reflect this image should not affect the situation of the entire expat community.
Diplomatic sources denied that the case is sectarian, revealing that several Christian families are included in the deportation decision.
Sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper that those who were deported had received previous warnings, pointing out that UAE authorities don't have to inform them of the reasons behind the decision.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
Comments
- Related News
