Lebanon to start returning Syrian refugees to homeland next week
ERBIL, KRI, Iraq (North Press) – On Wednesday, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said process of returning Syrians to their homeland will begin next week in the framework of a plan that had been previously considered.
Aoun noted that Syrians will be returned in successive groups to Syria at the end of next week.
The Lebanese authorities intend to return the Syrians in order to ease the stifling crisis the country is going through.
The Lebanese president stated that the issue of returning the Syrian refugees is very important as the country is facing deteriorating conditions.
In early October, the Lebanese president discussed with the Syrian Ambassador Ali Abdul Karim the issue under a plan to return them gradually.
However, the Syrian government did not show objection regarding the process, but it comes amidst disputes with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) which stresses that environment yet improper for the Syrians’ return.
The number of the Syrian refugees residing in Lebanon is approximately 1.5 million, about 900.000 of whom are registered at the UNHCR.