NNA - Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, along with Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Judge Bassam Mawlawi, and Acting General Director of Lebanon’s General Security, Brigadier General Elias Al-Baisari, on Monday welcomed a delegation representing the 'Strong Republic' bloc at the Grand Serail.

The delegation included MPs: Strida Geagea, Joseph Isaac, Elias Khoury, Nizam Matta, Jihad Pakradouni, Razi Al-Hajj, Fadi Karam, Ghayath Yezbeck, and Ghada Ayoub.

Following the visit, a statement was issued by MP Strida Geagea’s office stating: "The delegation discussed with Prime Minister Mikati the issue of the illegal Syrian presence in Lebanon. The Prime Minister emphasized that Lebanon is a transit country and not a refuge. While municipalities in the areas where the bloc's MPs are active are fulfilling their duties in regulating this presence, this alone is not sufficient. It is imperative for the security forces and General Security to play their central and essential roles in this matter. Therefore, the delegation urged Prime Minister Mikati to instruct the Ministers of Interior and Defense to ensure that each, within their jurisdiction, monitors the General Directorate of General Security and the Internal Security Forces, and the Army, to enforce the law on every foreigner illegally present on Lebanese soil."

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