Sharaf El-Din: Lebanon will follow the plan for the return of the displaced, regardless of the position of the UNHCR

6/07/2022

(See translation in Arabic section)

Lebanon - The Minister of Displaced Affairs in the caretaker government, Issam Sharaf El-Din, confirmed in an interview with "Voice of All Lebanon" radio, that "Lebanon will follow the plan for the return of displaced Syrians to their country, regardless of the position of the UNHCR," revealing an official visit to Syria after Eid al-Adha, commissioned by the government to discuss this issue with the Syrian side.

He stressed that "the return of the displaced will be safe and dignified," explaining that "it will be based on the geography of the place, provided that shelters are established for the displaced within their villages in Syria."

In response to a question about the UNHCR’s position on the plan, he indicated that “the UNHCR did not agree to a number of items that were put forward, including the request to suspend the payment of aid,” and said: “The UNHCR’s position is political, and it seems that it has withdrawn from the tripartite committee that demanded by the President of the Commission."