In this photo released by the Lebanese Parliament media office, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, right, meets with Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, June 28, 2021. AP
Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh on Monday called on Lebanese President Michel Aoun to grant more social and human rights to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, a statement by Lebanon's Presidency reported.
"Palestinians reside in Lebanon as guests until they return to their homeland from which they were expelled. We certainly wish to grant more social and human rights to Palestinian refugees along with their brothers in Lebanon with whom they share their hopes and pains," Haniyeh said during his meeting with Aoun.
Haniyeh also affirmed Palestinians' right to return to their homeland and their rejection for resettlement.
For his part, Aoun said he is certain that Palestinians will be able to establish an independent state after their great sacrifices and steadfastness facing the recent Israeli aggression on Gaza and other areas.
Over 460,000 Palestinian refugees are registered with the UN relief agency in Lebanon. The UN estimates around 65 percent of them suffer from poverty, while 3 percent of them live in extreme poverty.
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