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.
Trump film shocks Cannes as former US President is depicted 'raping' his then
Feyenoord coach Arne Slot says his club in talks with Liverpool over a move to Anfield
Amanda Holden flashes her toned abs in plunging crop top as she wows in daring ensemble
New home for University of Kentucky cancer center will help accelerate research, director says
What's next for Iran after death of its president in crash?
Ashley Tisdale confesses 'being sick while pregnant is no fun' after revealing her 3
Kansas man sentenced to 10 years for crash that killed officer, pedestrian and K
The TikTok law kicks off a new showdown between Beijing and Washington. What's coming next?
Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
Yvette Fielding says her Most Haunted co
Amy Childs puts on a busty display in a plunging black dress as she joins glamorous TOWIE co