Lebanese Minister in Syria to Map Out Safe Return for Displaced Persons

The Minister of Displaced Persons in the caretaker government, Issam Sharafeddine, is visiting Syria today to meet with the Minister of Local Administration and the Minister of Interior. He stated to "Al-Liwaa" that he will convey to the Syrian officials an oral working paper that includes a roadmap for the dignified and safe return of displaced persons, as well as the possibility of forming four joint committees to coordinate and follow up on the return process. He added: "We will come to an understanding with our Syrian brothers, and a joint statement will be issued about the meetings." The main focus of the roadmap is the gradual return of 15,000 displaced persons each month, provided that the Syrian state has completed the necessary preparations for shelter centers, infrastructure, and all the requirements for return, including infrastructure, roads, electricity, potable water, sewage, schools, and hospitals in the nearest locations, as well as ensuring public transportation at very affordable prices and assisting farmers in returning to their lands. He noted that the idea is based on the principle of returning to the same villages and environments from which the displaced persons fled. He added that the Syrian state has issued many decrees and procedures concerning Syrians abroad, aimed at settling their security and personal situations, which include exemptions and opportunities to return to their jobs and the lifting of precautionary measures on their properties, among other decisions to facilitate the return. The number of beneficiaries from these measures has so far reached 271,030 citizens. The Lebanese authorities have been informed of these measures to communicate them to the international organizations monitoring the conditions of the displaced persons to be aware of what the Syrian authorities are doing to facilitate the return process.