Outrage after Lebanon doctor blames Syria refugees for raising cancer rates

The news website of MTV has sparked outrage after it published the controversial article on Wednesday, in the latest attack on Syrian refugees.

The right-wing outlet quoted a doctor postulating about the possible causes for an over five percent increase in cancer cases this year according to recently released government statistics.

"Increased infections induced by the influx of Syrian refugees are indirectly causing cancer," Fadi Nasr said.

"Because of the bad conditions they have been forced to endure, these people are coming with dangerous bacteria that causes diseases in humans,"

Nasr also pointed the finger at Lebanon's rubbish crisis and high pollution for the rise in cancer rates.

The comments have been condemned by many social media users in the country, which hosts around 1.5 million Syrians that fled the brutal civil war.

"This is the first time I have heard of refugees causing cancer in any country except for in the crazy world of MTV," said one Facebook user.

Lebanese media and politicians have long scapegoated Syrian refugees for the country's woes from unemployment, high commodity prices and crime to even raising rates of unmarried Lebanese women.

Earlier this year, a Lebanese TV channel sparked anger over a song mocking Syrian refugees.

The Lebanese government has recently been pushing for the return of refugees to their homes, arguing the majority of Syria is now under regime control.