Ibrahim Makes ‘Quick’ Visit to Syria to Discuss Repatriation File

Head of Lebanon’s General Security agency Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim made a “quick” visit to Syria where he met with Syrian officials and discussed various files including the repatriation of Syrians in Lebanon, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.

The Syrian side assured that it will continue to receive refugees wishing to return to their hometowns but “within the same framework and mechanism currently applied,” in an operation overseen by General Security in coordination with Damascus, said the daily.

Applicants need to get an approval from Damascus first in order to return. Syria promised returnees that they will not face legal consequences when they go back to Syria.

Thousands of Syrians have this year registered for the scheme, and several hundreds have returned home last week alone.

Ibrahim said: “The Syrian side is working on the file with all credibility and the necessary speed. It informs the general security of every Syrian displaced wanted on a judicial order in order to settle it.”

The Russian military in Syria set up a mechanism to help settle issues related to the refugees' return. Moscow, which has provided crucial military support to Assad, is eager to show that the situation in Syria is normalizing now that the government has recaptured most opposition strongholds.