Aoun Reveals Syrian Plan regarding Refugees' Return to Their Country
Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun revealed on Thursday a plan regarding the return of Syrian refugees to their country.
"There is a plan concerning the return of refugees to Syria that includes providing them with what they were used to receive before,” Aoun told OTV after meeting with Syrian National Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar at his residence in al-Metn's Rabieh neighborhood.
"Syrian authorities are calling on the refugees to return and are ready to provide them with residence and schooling. There are many regions in the neighboring country where they can reside.”
Aoun stated: “Lebanon is not a country where you can take refuge without any price. When we provide them with the option of returning to their country with guarantees, they cannot say no.”
The FPM leader hoped concerned authorities “will not reject Haidar's proposal.”
“Lebanon needs to be relieved even if to a certain extent only,” he said, warning that the situation is heading towards “an explosion, especially with the presence of gunmen incited by foreign forces.”
Meanwhile, Haidar assured the Syrian authorities' readiness to receive the returning refugees.
"Doors are open in front of them taking into consideration the guarantees they demand, whether legal or international and the conditions they request,” he stressed.
Lebanon's ambassador to the United Nations Nawaf Salam warned on Tuesday that the number of Syrian refugees fleeing the war-torn country and coming to Lebanon could surpass one million by the end of 2013, asking the members of the international community to “bear the costs with Lebanese authorities.”
Salam said that “pressures are mounting and that the needs of the Syrian refugees surpass the Lebanon's capabilities.”
He assured, however, that the country “will not close its border in front of refugees fleeing violence and destruction and we will not stop delivering aid.”
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