A new batch of Syrian refugees returned to their home country Thursday from various areas in Lebanon, in the latest voluntary return organized by General Security.
Some 59 people gathered in Nabatieh before being taken by two buses across the Syrian border, the state-run National News Agency reported.
The Syrian authorities sent buses to the designated gathering areas that took the refugees back. In Akkar, families and individuals gathered and their names were cross-checked by General Security personnel as they boarded the buses. Representatives from the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, were also present, according to the NNA.
Buses also took off from Tripoli, Abboudieh, Burj Hammoud, Beirut, Sidon, Bekaa’s Arsal and Al-Qaa.
Since May 2018, General Security has been registering Syrian refugees who are willing to return and organizing the transportation back to their country in coordination with the authorities there, who in some cases may reject a potential returnee.
Lebanon hosts about 1 million refugees registered with UNHCR, but the government puts the total number of refugees at more than 1.5 million.
The Daily Star
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