Restoring Security in Most Syrian Areas Makes Safe Return of Displaced Syrians to Their Homeland Possible: Aoun

BEIRUT, (ST)-  President Michel Aoun of Lebanon has stressed the importance of ensuring safe return to the displaced Syrians in Lebanon to their homeland.

During his meeting on Tuesday with Italian Defense Minister Elisabetta Trenta, Aoun said that the restoration of stability and security to most Syrian areas makes the safe return of the displaced Syrians to their original residence places possible. He urged all concerned countries, including Italy, to facilitate this process.

 “The influx of the displaced Syrians to Lebanon was for security and not political reasons, and with the gradual disappearance of these reasons, a safe return must be achieved,” he added.

President Aoun went on saying that “the continuous Israeli threats to Lebanon and the unstable conditions that surround the region necessitate an extension of the mandate of the international forces operating in the south of Lebanon, according to the same conditions as to the tasks entrusted to the UNIFIL, the number of personnel and the budget allocated to this force.”  He noted  the key role of this force in preserving security and stability at Lebanon’s southern borders  in cooperation with the Lebanese army.

President Aoun also affirmed that “stability in the Middle East requires a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian cause which has lasted 70 years, and the Palestinian people are still waiting for this solution”.

On his part, General Director of General Security of Lebanon Abbas Ibrahim said that the voluntary return of the displaced Syrians to their homeland won’t be possible without coordination with the Syrian government and the international organizations working in Lebanon.

He made it clear that the process of returning the displaced Syrians home is underway and it continues on a daily basis.

Hamda Mustafa