(BEIRUT) — The Hungarian government posted ads in Lebanese and Jordanian newspapers on Monday, threatening to arrest migrants who enter the country illegally.
The move comes as European leaders scramble to address the Syrian refugee crisis, as tens of thousands make the trek to Europe.
The full-page advertisement was published in several newspapers, including Lebanon’s leading An-Nahar. The Hungarian government said the “strongest possible action is taken” against people who attempt to enter illegally.
“Do not listen to the people smugglers. Hungary will not allow illegal immigrants to cross its territory,” the advertisement said in both English and Arabic.
Lebanon, a country of 4.5 million people, has over 1.1 million Syrian refuges, many of whom have already attempted to migrate to Europe because of dwindling aid.
Hungary closed its border with Serbia on Sept. 15 and recently erected a steel barrier at the Beremend border crossing with Croatia to try to slow the flow of migrants.
Earlier this month, Denmark’s Ministry of Immigration, Integration and Housing posted advertisements in Lebanese newspapers aiming to deter migrants, saying that the Scandinavian nation has reduced social aid to migrants by 50 percent recently.
Denmark warned that illegal migrants will be deported immediately.
Meanwhile, German vice chancellor Sigmar Gabriel urged the international community to increase aid to Mideast countries hosting millions of Syrian refugees, saying this is key to slowing migration to Europe.
Gabriel, who was to start a visit to Jordan on Monday, said wealthy Gulf states “aren’t paying” and suggested the United States could contribute more. Aid agencies requested $7.4 billion for the Syria crisis for 2015, but received only 38 percent.
Gabriel told German TV on Sunday that the situation in host countries is “dramatically bad.”