Lebanese President Michel Aoun said the Syrian war and regional turmoil were forcing his country to pay more than it can afford.

President Aoun inaugurated the 30th session of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) under the slogan “Technology for Sustainable Development in the Arab Region,” in the presence of Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Lebanon Walid Bukhari; Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit; ESCWA Executive Secretary Dr. Mohamed Ali Al-Hakim; Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil; representatives and delegations of the ESCWA member countries; and ambassadors of Arab and foreign countries.

In his speech, Aoun noted: “Lebanon is facing difficult and exceptional circumstances. It has been forced to pay a large share of that which exceeds its economic, financial and social capabilities in the human tragedy caused by the Syrian war and the regional turmoil in general.

“We understand the human dimension of the suffering of displaced people, but this is a problem that Lebanon cannot afford to bear with its financial, economic and security burdens. We are determined to find the necessary solutions, hoping that the Arab and international communities will help us to achieve this goal and help the displaced persons to return to their homes as soon as possible,” he added.