Permanent settlement of Palestinians in Lebanon: a recipe for conflict

This paper addresses the nature and scope of the Palestinian refugee problem in Lebanon before and after the civil war of 1975–76, and examines the official and non-official positions on permanent settlement since the launching of the peace process at the Madrid conference in 1991. Three possible scenarios for the future of the Palestinian refugee problem are envisaged: one in which refugees are given ‘Palestinian citizenship’, and right of residency in Lebanon pending their move to the Palestinian entity in whatever form it takes; imposed permanent settlement of the refugees in Lebanon; and a continuation of the present situation, with no settlement being reached.