The Netherlands has allocated 140 million euros to support Lebanon for the next four years, Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot announced Monday in Beirut.
The announcement comes amid concerns in Lebanon over a European Union aid package last week aimed at providing 1 billion euros to the Lebanese government over three years to support the country’s economy and help prevent an increase in the number of refugees leaving for Europe.
The EU aid package has sparked outrage among the Lebanese, mainly because of fears that it could push Syrians to settle permanently in Lebanon.
Outrage peaked further on Monday when Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said his party “will continue to exert all its efforts until the last illegal migrant leaves Lebanon.”
Following a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart, Abdallah Bou Habib, on Monday, the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his great gratitude to Lebanon which hosts the largest number of displaced Syrians despite the heavy burden it carries . “I understand that this has a huge impact on Lebanon and its people,” she said.
Slot noted that the Netherlands supports the Lebanese army, which works to strengthen stability. “We also support the reconstruction of the private sector in Lebanon, which contributes to the country’s development, in cooperation with the European Union. The Netherlands has allocated an amount of 140 million euros for the next four years,” she added.
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