BEIRUT: U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag held talks with local officials during a visit to the northeastern Bekaa Valley Thursday over economic and social strains posed by the large number of Syrian refugees hosted in underdeveloped border areas.
Speaking after a meeting with the governor of the Baalbek-Hermel district and the mayor of the city of Baalbek, Kaag acknowledged the overwhelming pressure that is caused by a prolonged refugee crisis on the host communities, and the country’s economy and infrastructure as a whole.
She said that the U.N. is mostly concerned about safeguarding the security and stability of Lebanon as well as its economic and social equilibrium, especially in the Bekaa area bordering Syria which was most affected by the repercussions of the 4-year-old Syrian conflict.
The Dutch diplomat also praised the efforts of the Lebanese Army and police in maintaining security in the volatile area which had experienced several car bombings and clashes between Lebanese troops and Syria’s jihadi militants.
Underlining the security threats posed by the extremist militant groups active in the border area, Kaag said, Lebanon should be "careful as well as hopeful," stressing that extremism constituted a global security challenge.
She also inspected U.N.-funded development projects in the area, including a solar energy plant in the village of Torbol.
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