The recent assaults on the Syrian cities of Homs and Hama have sent thousands of Syrian refugees into Lebanon, with at least 2,000 arriving last weekend. Reports estimate that the number of refugees in Lebanon has reached 7,000 people - posing new challenges to the Lebanese authorities as they struggle to respond to the escalating situation. The government, however, has not been proactive at devising a strategy to deal with the looming crisis; on the contrary, it has chosen to react to developments on the ground and treat the Syrian problem as a political issue problematic to Lebanon's peace and stability.
 
While other neighboring countries, namely Turkey and Jordan (and to a lesser extent Iraq's Kurdish region), have set up camps for refugees, Lebanon, with more stretched resources and stronger ties to Syria, is a unique case. Refugees arriving in Lebanese towns and cities often move in with relatives or rent a temporary place if they can afford it. While this has been the situation thus far, the increasing number of refugees has political, security, and financial implications that the government must address immediately.
 
The Lebanese people are politically divided on the Syrian crisis. On the one hand, many constituencies, majority Sunni and the March 14 supporters, sympathize with the Syrian protestors. Some Islamist groups who support their Sunni brethren in Syria have also been vocal about their support for the uprising. On the other hand, March 8 allies continue to label the uprising a conspiracy against the Assad regime and the resistance against Israel. The split reached its peak on Sunday at two opposing rallies in downtown Beirut. Assad enthusiasts carried Russian and Chinese flags, whereas anti-Assad protestors chanted for the downfall of the regime. But while extremist groups on both sides (mainly Baathists and Salafists) tried to seize the day, the overarching political coalitions called for calm, for fear of potential violence among the groups.
 
Hezbollah indeed has voiced support for the Syrian regime but on Sunday's protests, it chose to lay low, giving the lead to pro-Syrian Baathist and nationalist groups. The Shiite militant party, analysts note, is avoiding sectarian confrontation domestically, especially with the changing Syrian situation and the talk of military strikes on Iran.
 
Away from downtown Beirut, along the Lebanese-Syrian borders, the crackdown on Syrians fleeing unrest in their hometowns continues. This week, 35 Syrians crossing the borders were arrested on charges of carrying arms; 28 were later released. According to sources cited on Hezbollah's Al Manar television, detainees are handed over to the military judiciary who then deals with them "according to the legal procedure and agreements signed between Lebanon and Syria."However, those arrests have caused much controversy given the alleged ties between the Lebanese and Syrian security intelligence apparatus, and have led many to urge the Lebanese Army to step in and protect Lebanese territory.
 
Meanwhile, the international community continues to encourage Lebanon to work towards maintaining stability amidst this unrest. U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, while recognizing Lebanon's precarious position with regards to the uprising, urged Lebanese officials to offer assistance to Syrians fleeing violence, in accordance with international humanitarian law. Her statement provoked a harsh response from Hezbollah officials who claimed this was an 'interference' in Lebanese affairs, but Connelly responded, clarifying that she was calling for the support of Syrian civilians and not armed groups. Perhaps the Lebanese authorities could use those calls as an opportunity to work with the international community to ensure the safety and welfare of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
 
Thus far, the Lebanese government has adopted a policy of "dissociation" from Syria, while taking steps to ensure the protection of refugees. It has to some extent confused the political and humanitarian dimensions of the problem, delaying an adequate response. The scale of the crisis, however, mandates a more aggressive national policy curbing potential implications on the economy and stability of the country. This policy need not be contradictory to the non-alignment position voiced by Prime Minister Najib Mikati. On the contrary, these are rights protected by international law and supported by the international community; should Lebanon proceed to work with regional and international countries to allocate resources and define the adequate responses, it may be able to address a problem whose end is not in sight.