BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- The U.N. refugee agency hailed the decision of Lebanese officials to recognize thousands of Iraqis seeking refuge there.
U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres praised the decision, noting it would free Iraqis held in Lebanese custody, a statement by the agency said Friday.
Lebanese authorities had detained hundreds of Iraqi refugees because they are considered illegal immigrants.
Lebanese officials said they would give Iraqi refugees three additional months to regularize their status.
The UNHCR representative in Lebanon, Stephane Jaquemet, said the Lebanese decision is significant given the political state of affairs in Lebanon.
Amal Saad-Ghorayeb, visiting scholar at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, described the situation in the Lebanese Daily Star Wednesday as one of "civil strife."
"The Lebanese decision is of particular significance given that it has been taken at a time when the country has been facing political turmoil and volatile security," Jaquemet said.
Guterres said the Lebanese decision would create "protection space" in Lebanon for Iraqis seeking refuge there.
Lebanese officials said they would start providing many of the Iraqi refugees with work permits and UNHCR officials said they would continue their support of the overall process.
"We will also help as many Iraqis as possible obtain work permits so that they can become … self-sufficient and lead a dignified life," Guterres said.
There are more than 50,000 Iraqis living in Lebanon illegally, and the UNHCR said they registered about 20 percent of them.
Guterres is winding down a series of visits to the region, including Jordan, Syria and Iraq.
