Lebanese Minister of Displaced Persons Issam Sharaf al-Din stated that the significance of the voluntary return of Syrian displaced persons, which saw the arrival of the first group yesterday, lies in reactivating this file, as the Lebanese government has made a political decision to do so. Sharaf al-Din's statement came following the arrival of the first batch of Syrian displaced persons from refugee camps in Lebanon, via the al-Zumrani Crossing in the Damascus countryside and the al-Jousiyeh crossing in the Homs countryside.
In a statement to “Al-Watan” newspaper, Sharaf al-Din said, "The importance of the returning Syrian convoys is symbolic even if the number is small, because what has happened means that the file of the voluntary return of refugees has been activated, and the Lebanese government has made a political decision in this regard. The Lebanese General Security is committed and is reviewing the lists of those wishing to return, as is the case with the Syrian National Security, which is cooperating fully. Thus, we will be awaiting more returning convoys."
Sharaf al-Din pointed out that the completion of the refugee return file remains pending a formal visit to Damascus to discuss issues related to the file, including matters concerning civil registration, mandatory military service, prisoner exchanges, border control, and other issues that contribute to resolving this file.
Sharaf al-Din confirmed the accuracy of media reports about direct communication between the Syrian and Lebanese governments, mentioning that a recent call took place between the caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Prime Minister Hussein Arnous. He considers direct communication with the Syrian government necessary to resolve issues related to displacement.
Regarding the timing of the new convoy of voluntarily returning Syrian displaced persons, Sharaf al-Din indicated that lists of approximately 2,500 displaced individuals have been submitted to the Lebanese General Security and are currently being processed before being forwarded to Syrian National Security for follow-up.
According to information from "Al-Watan," dozens of displaced individuals arrived yesterday morning through the al-Zumrani Crossing in the Qalamoun region, bringing some of their belongings. Relevant authorities have been working on registering their personal data and permanent residence addresses in their villages and towns by a committee formed to follow up on their affairs, conditions, and to provide necessary aid and services.
Additionally, another group of Syrian displaced persons returned through the al-Jousiyeh border crossing in the Homs countryside, amid facilitated procedures and arrangements provided by the concerned authorities.
Al-Ala Al-Sheikh, a member of the Executive Office in the Rural Damascus Governorate, indicated in a statement to "Al-Watan" that the number of arrivals reached 330 individuals, who will be transferred to the Rural Development Center in Yabrud, which has been equipped with all basic necessities for temporary accommodation until they return to their areas and resume their normal lives.
The resumption of the voluntary return of Syrian displaced persons comes after a year and a half halt, just before a parliamentary session dedicated to discussing the topic of European assistance provided by the European Union to the Lebanese government amounting to one billion dollars, which the EU stated comes to help Lebanon secure basic services for Syrian refugees.
