Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June to Question 262409, whether his Department has made any representations to the Government of Lebanon on the proposed destruction of Syrian refugees’ shelters in Arsal, Lebanon.

​We have called on the Lebanese Government to ensure that any operation or actions that impact on the homes of refugees are done in full accordance with Lebanese laws and international principals, after thorough consultation with those affected, relevant Non Governmental Organisations, and the UN, and only once appropriate alternative accommodation has been put in place for those affected. Following lobbying from the international donor community, including this Government, and after negotiations with the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, and refugee communities, the Government of Lebanon has agreed to postpone the demolition operation in Arsal to 1 July, to allow refugees more time to comply with the order, or find alternative accommodation.