During the meeting, Aoun called for organizing return convoys and addressing the problems of infiltration on the border between the two nations.
Grandi reaffirmed the UNHCR’s support for Lebanon and insisted on the importance of working together to help Syrians return home: the Lebanese Government, the new authorities in Damascus, donors, refugees and the UN agency.
According to the UNHCR chief, more than 200,000 Syrian refugees have returned to their homes since the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s government in December. He highlighted a growing interest in returning, which rose from 1 to 30 percent.
He also called on the UN to develop a comprehensive plan to help Syria rebuild key sectors such as education, water and infrastructure.
Two weeks ago, Lebanon’s interim prime minister, Naijib Mikati, met in Damascus with the head of Syria’s new administration, Ahmad al-Sharaa (Al-Golani), to discuss the urgency of addressing the displacement crisis and the urgency of ensuring the return of refugees to the country.
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