(29 Feb 2016) A group of 93 Syrian refugees arrived in Rome from Beirut on Monday as part of a larger number of refugees that will go to Italy legally and on commercial flights, sparing them the risk of dangerous sea and border crossings.
Italy's foreign minister who welcomed the refugees at the airport, hailed the arrival as a model for other countries to follow.
The refugees were living in Lebanon after fleeing their homeland's civil war and were granted humanitarian visas.
Minister Paolo Gentiloni said transfer by plane involves limited numbers but sends a message to human traffickers profiting off risky sea voyages by desperate refugees trying to reach Europe.
Gentiloni also stressed the need to not "raise walls, to have new fences, to have unilateral decisions" in Europe.
Mirvat, a 23-year-old English literature student that lived in Lebanon for about three years after fleeing Aleppo, said she was happy but a little fearful of the future in a new place.
She said she just wants to continue her studies and "to have a normal life".
Italian-based Catholic and Protestant churches launched the project.

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