BEIRUT: Security forces are set to intensify their work tackling illegal sea crossings from Lebanon, following a security meeting charied by President Michel Aoun Thursday that focused on the growing number of people risking their lives at sea trying to flee the crisis-hit country.

A statement from Aouns press office said that he met with outgoing Prime Minister Hassan Diab, the caretaker Defense and Interior ministers and heads of the security agencies at Baabda Palace.

Aoun called for the issue to be dealt with from both security and humanitarian angles and said that the root causes of their illegal emigration needed to be tackled. This is to include combating the networks that illegally organize this type of sea crossing, Aoun said.

Diab meanwhile tasked the security heads to expedite taking coordination measures between the security agencies to put an end to the illegal movement of people by sea.

The statement said that the ISF in particular is to work with the Cypriot authorities to put in place the necessary measures for the return of migrants and to intensify intelligence and investigative work into the criminal gangs behind this form of people smuggling.

Maritime patrols will also be increased, in coordination with the Maritime Task Force of the UNs peacekeeping force in Lebanon, and the Lebanese Army will set up a special search and rescue center with input from the Public Works Ministry in particular.

The UNs refugee agency and UNICEF last week issued a statement saying that there were 21 reported crossings from Lebanon to Cyprus of mainly Syrians, but also Lebanese and migrant workers between July and Sept. 14.

Lebanese authorities Wednesday found another body floating off the coast of Tripoli, with the NNA reporting that the unidentified man was partially decomposed and likely to have been aboard one of the death crossings.

UNHCR and UNICEF expressed their deep concern about the spike in these dangerous crossings, which often take place on poorly maintained and overcrowded boats.

UNHCR spokesperson Lisa Abou Khaled told The Daily Star that most people taking these voyages are motivated by a desire to escape poverty, which has rocketed over the past year with Lebanons financial collapse.

Unemployment is over 30 percent and the local currency has lost some 80 percent of its value, increasing the cost of everyday essentials in the local currency.

Copyright 2020, The Daily Star. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

Disclaimer: The content of this article is syndicated or provided to this website from an external third party provider. We are not responsible for, and do not control, such external websites, entities, applications or media publishers. The body of the text is provided on an as is and as available basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither we nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this article. Read our full disclaimer policy here.