“There is a serious economic crisis in Lebanon. There is approximately 50 percent unemployment and, according to several calculations, the country will soon face famine. Is the Armenian government preparing to do anything to support Lebanese-Armenians, which comprise the largest Armenian community in the Middle East?” Bright Armenia deputy Taron Simonyan asked in parliament. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, said that this is a very important and sensitive issue.
“The Lebanese-Armenian community is constitutionally a part of the Lebanese state and it considers itself to play an independent role. Our compatriots share Lebanon’s achievements and problems. Any form of hate speech causes us to worry because it threatens the lifestyle of our friend, Lebanon. We trust that the Lebanese government and Lebanese-Armenians will fight against such demonstrations,” Mnatsakanyan said.
According to the minister, Armenia cannot remain indifferent towards the problems that the Lebanese-Armenian community faces. “We remain in constant contact and we will continue our dialog. We are also in contact with agencies in the community. But the Lebanese-Armenian community is truly facing a socioeconomic crisis. The coronavirus has caused additional difficulties for our compatriots who wish to return to Armenia. We will speak about possible aid when things become clearer.”
Luiza Sukiasyan
