BEIRUT, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Philippe Lazzarini, deputy UN special coordinator for Lebanon, said Friday that the United Nations supports the return of all Syrian refugees to their homeland, the National News Agency reported.
"The future of all Syrians is in Syria and this is really what Syrians wish for," Lazzarini was quoted as saying during his visit to Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi.
Lazzarini said that all obstacles facing the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland must be removed.
Lebanon is hosting 976,000 registered Syrian refugees, according to the UNHCR, while the government estimates the true number of Syrian refugees in the country at 1.5 million.
The Arab Economic and Social Development Summit concluded in the Lebanese capital on Jan. 20 with the Beirut Declaration, calling on the international community to support Arab countries hosting Syrian refugees and encourage Syrian refugees to return to their country.
