Minister to Visit Syria Soon... and a Plan!

The Minister of Displaced Persons in the caretaker government, Issam Charafeddine, confirmed that Lebanon will proceed with a plan for the return of Syrian refugees to their country, regardless of the position of the UN Refugee Agency. He revealed that he will make an official visit to Syria after the Eid al-Adha holiday, commissioned by the government, to discuss this matter with the Syrian side. Charafeddine emphasized in an interview with "Voice of Lebanon" that the return of refugees will be safe and dignified, clarifying that it will be based on geographical locations, and there will be centers established for the displaced within their villages in Syria. In response to a question regarding the UN Refugee Agency's position on the plan, Charafeddine indicated that the agency did not agree to several proposed items, including the request to suspend aid payments. He stated that "the agency's position is political, and it seems they have retreated from the tripartite committee called for by its president."