Lebanese President Meets with UN Official to Discuss Syrian Refugees in Lebanon

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi called for the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland following the fall of the Syrian regime during a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Grandi noted that his visit to Lebanon is part of a regional tour to explore effective ways to support the refugees’ return, emphasizing that recent regional developments provide an opportunity to address a long-standing humanitarian crisis.

President Aoun expressed Lebanon’s desire for Syrian refugees to return as quickly as possible, stating that the reasons for their displacement have ceased to exist. He also called for organizing convoys to facilitate their return to Syria.

Previously, Grandi reported that less than 2% of Syrian refugees had planned to return within a year, a figure that has risen to approximately 30% since the fall of the regime. He announced plans to visit Syria to meet with the new authorities and discuss the potential for more refugees to return from neighboring countries.