Over 700 Syrian refugees headed back to Syria Monday from Lebanon, General Security announced, in the latest of such returns organized by the agency. General Security, in coordination with the U.N. refugee agency, facilitated the “voluntary” return of 752 Syrian refugees from different Lebanese areas through Masnaa, Abboudieh and Al-Zamarani border crossings, according to the agency’s statement.
Refugees gathered Monday in various regions across Lebanon to prepare for the return, a source from the agency told The Daily Star, adding that 840 refugees had registered to return.
This is the 12th set of returns to be organized by General Security, according to the state-run National News Agency.
The returns started at 6 a.m. from Sidon, Nabatieh, Shebaa, Masnaa, Burj Hammoud, Abboudieh, Baqieh, Tripoli and Arsal via buses provided by the Syrian authorities. General Security convoys accompanied the refugees to the Lebanese-Syrian border.
In Sidon, over 30 refugees, including men, women and children, gathered at a designated meeting point, where Sidon Mayor Mohammad Saudi was present to oversee the return.
“There is no doubt ... that the faces of [refugees] are drawn with happy expressions,” Saudi said.
“They’re returning to their families and homes, while simultaneously reassured that they will be in their own country, safe, with no threat targeting them.”
This article has been adapted from its original source.
