The issue of Syrian displacement continues to compete with all urgent matters, especially the war in the south. Political forces are racing to present their visions for addressing the ongoing displacement crisis. The General Security apparatus, tasked with implementing the plan to cope with the displacement crisis, has taken several steps, the latest being a visit to Syria by acting director-general Brigadier Elias Beisri two days ago, where he met with both the head of the National Security Bureau, Brigadier Kifah Mulheim, and Brigadier Ali Mamlouk.
Sources informed "Al-Akhbar" that the discussions covered "two main points." The first concerns Syrians sentenced in Lebanese prisons, where there was a discussion about their repatriation to Syria to serve their sentences based on a signed agreement between the two countries for the exchange of prisoners. One of its key provisions is that "the sentence must be finalized and the return should be at the request of the sentenced individual." While the Syrian side showed a positive stance on this point, Beisri requested some time to coordinate with the Syrian Ministry of Justice and the prison administration and to study the files of the sentenced individuals, coordinating with the relevant Lebanese ministries due to the importance of this file which "will help alleviate prison overcrowding and expedite the trials of detained Syrians." It was emphasized that the discussion regarding detainees exclusively concerns those sentenced for criminal charges while excluding those detained or sentenced on political charges.
The second point relates to the repatriation of displaced individuals. Beisri informed the Syrian officials that Lebanon is in the process of returning large numbers of them to Syria. According to the information, the Syrian officials assured Beisri that Syria is prepared to welcome any displaced individuals wishing to return immediately and unconditionally, stating that new procedures are in place regarding returnees which involve informing the individual entering about any existing procedures against them, allowing them the freedom to choose between entering or returning, even if they are wanted by the security agencies.
Notable sources revealed to "Al-Akhbar" that in addition to the significant pressure exerted by European embassies with threats of imposing sanctions on Lebanon in case of Syrians' deportation, Syrian opposition forces abroad have begun to exert additional pressure by communicating with the European Union and officials in the American administration, urging them to impose sanctions on any Lebanese entity involved in the deportation of displaced individuals or detaining Syrian opposition figures and handing them over to the Syrian state. Additionally, the opponents called on Western governments to pursue the forces and individuals leading campaigns against the Syrian presence in Lebanon. It was noted in one of the meetings in Washington the mention by name of forces and figures from the March 14 coalition, particularly the Lebanese Forces, which informed the Americans that it was in the process of "modifying its tone" towards the Syrian presence in Lebanon.
