NNA - The Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, the Joint Palestinian Coalition, and members of the Lebanese inter-ministerial committee concerned with addressing Palestinian refugee issues in Lebanon held their recurring meeting at the Grand Serail on Friday, during which they discussed ways to coordinate and follow up on shared Lebanese-Palestinian issues, including issues of daily life, social issues, economic issues, legal issues, and security issues inside the camps, along with how to cooperate with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), as well as the issue of electricity collection in the camps.

The Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee emphasized the need to follow up on all the proposed and pending files with the relevant ministries and to begin processing them imminently.  The gathered parties agreed upon the general rules for Palestinian handling of collecting electrical and other fees, under the principle of "respect for the sovereignty, stability, and laws of the Lebanese state, and commitment to everything the state deems appropriate on fee collections, as applicable to both its citizens and refugees." 

The following points were made:

First, the Joint Palestinian Committee, on behalf of the Palestinian factions, expressed its readiness to cooperate with any mechanism deemed suitable by the Government of Lebanon to collect the fees required for the consumption of electricity in Palestinian camps and gatherings, and to coordinate with the Ministry of Energy to implement any decision issued thereon.

Second, the Palestinian side in Lebanon unanimously affirmed its commitment to the necessity of upholding stability and protecting Lebanon’s vital interests, including by safeguarding foreign investments, and to absolute cooperation with the Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee, which ensures constancy in Lebanese-Palestinian relations so long as the Palestinian side continues its commitment to respecting Lebanese sovereignty, laws, and stability across all aspects.

The meeting was attended by the Director-General of Arab Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ali El-Mawla, the Director-General of the Ministry of Public Health, Fady Snan, and representatives of the Ministries of National Defense, Interior and Municipalities, Education and Higher Education, Social Affairs, as well as of the Military Court and of Lebanese General Security.

--- Press Release - Office of Communications

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