Lebanese delegation headed by caretaker Minister of Social Affairs Ramzi Msharrafieh took part on Wednesday in the International Conference for the Return of Refugees in Damascus.
Msharrafieh said at the opening of the conference that the Lebanese government has approved a plan for the return of Syrian refugees.
The plan “is in line with international standards and guarantees the right of the displaced to a dignified return, in coordination with the Syrian state and under the care of the international community,” the outgoing minister was quoted as saying by the National News Agency.
“Voluntary return is ongoing, in cooperation and coordination between the Lebanese General Security and its Syrian counterpart. Its frequency has decreased, though, due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Msharrafieh stressed.
He added that “international experiences of political solutions to the return of refugees are not encouraging.”
For his part, caretaker Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbe addressed the conference via video link, as he urged the international community to help return more than 1.5 million Syrian refugees back to their homeland.
“Lebanon appeals to the international community to help the country implement a plan to return refugees back to their homeland,” said Wehbe, addressing the two-day conference.
Source: Agencies
