Meeting Begins to Discuss Syrian Refugees Issue

A closed-door meeting commenced today, Thursday, to discuss the Syrian refugees issue, chaired by Patriarch Bechara Peter Rai at the patriarchal seat in Bkerke. The meeting was called by the Maronite Center for Research and Documentation and included the participation of Minister of Interior in the caretaker government Judge Bassam Mawlawi, representing Prime Minister Najib Mikati; Minister of Social Affairs in the caretaker government Hector Hajjar; Minister of Displaced Persons in the caretaker government Issam Sharafeddine; Minister of Justice in the caretaker government Henry Khoury; Commander of the Army General Joseph Aoun; and MP Neemat Afram. Also participating were representatives from security agency leaders, several governors, Bishop Samir Mazloum, head of the Maronite Center, members of the advisory, legal, and constitutional committees at the patriarchal seat, as well as several specialists in the Syrian displacement issue.