Over objections by the United Nations and rights groups, Lebanon wants to start repatriating Syrian refugees within months, the caretaker Minister of the Displaced, Issam Charafeddine said.
It’s noteworthy that Lebanon has one of the world’s highest numbers of Syrian refugees, hosting over 1 million Syrians since the outbreak of the war in Syria.
Charafeddine insisted that Lebanon is serious about implementing this plan within months., adding that “this is a humane, honorable, patriotic, and economic plan that is necessary for Lebanon.”
The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees opposed the involuntary repatriation to Syria, and the U.N. refugee agency denied its engagement in negotiations with Beirut and Damascus on refugee repatriation.
Related: Fights Break Out At Bakeries In Lebanon As People Blame Syrian Refugees For Bread Crisis.