The United Nations refugee agency expressed concern today, Friday, regarding the return of more than 100 Syrian refugees from Cyprus to Lebanon without determining whether they needed legal protection or could be deported to their homeland. The 109 migrants had arrived in Cyprus aboard three separate boats between July 29 and August 2 before being returned by boat under police escort. The Cypriot government stated that "these repatriation operations are conducted legally in accordance with the bilateral agreement signed by Nicosia and Lebanon in 2004." Louizos Hadjifasilo, an official in the Cypriot Ministry of Interior, confirmed that "the agreement requires Beirut to prevent and stop illegal border crossing and the illegal migration of individuals leaving Lebanon."
Title: Cyprus Returns Over 100 Syrian Migrants to Lebanon
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