Lebanon witnesses gradual return of refugees to Syria

Source: Xinhua| 2018-07-01 15:40:52|Editor: mmm
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BEIRUT, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Tens of Syrian refugees in Bekaa of eastern Lebanon have returned to their homeland Sunday, reported a local news website Elnashra.

"The total number of Syrians returning Sunday to their towns in Syria have reached 93," said the report.

Around 400 Syrian refugees have returned to their homeland Thursday from Arsal to Qalamoun via the Wadi Hmayyed using private buses.

According to U.S.-based organization Human Rights Watch, more than 1 million Syrian refugees are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese government estimates the true number of Syrians in the country to be 1.5 million.

Political parties in Lebanon have, on many occasions, voiced their concerns about the large number of refugees in the country, saying that their prolonged stay represents an economic and social burden.

Recently, the Free Patriotic Movement, which belongs to Lebanese President Michel Aoun, drafted a strategy to solve the issue of Syrian refugees and secure their return to their homeland.

"The party is waiting for the government to be formed to present this strategy and approve it by the council of ministers," said a statement published by Elnashra.

"This strategy will be presented to all political parties by highlighting the economic and social risks resulting from hosting 1.5 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon," it said.

The statement added that Syrian refugees will return gradually but in large numbers in coordination with the Syrian government.

Meanwhile, Aarsal Deputy Mayor Rima Karnabi told Elnashra that 3,000 Syrian refugees registered their names with Syrian committees in the past and they got an approval to return to Syria.

"They will be moving back to their country gradually in the coming days after having witnessed a successful trial last week," she said.

Karnabi assured that around 60,000 Syrian refugees in Aarsal have shown their willingness to go back to Syria.

Lebanon's Hezbollah Leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah also said in a televised speech Friday that his party will help in this regard.

"We will help Syrian refugees who wish to return to Syria. This may be the right time for them to go back home before the beginning of the new academic year," he added.

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