Lebanon limits flow of refugees

Lebanon began limiting the flow of Syrians entering the country yesterday, placing unprecedented restrictions on their entry, as it struggles to cope with a flood of asylum seekers fleeing civil war.

The response was yet another ripple effect of Syria’s war that has displaced nearly half its pre-war population, sending over three million people fleeing into neighbouring countries — primarily Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Iraq.

Lebanon is particularly vulnerable; for a tiny country of 4.5m, the flood of Syrian refugees has placed a tremendous strain on its economy, resources, infrastructure and delicate sectarian balance.