Labor Minister Sejaan Azzi said that the international position over the refugee crisis contradicts the stance of the Lebanese authorities.
He explained that Lebanon stresses that a final solution cannot be reached before finding a political solution for the Syrian conflict, noting that since a political process requires years to be completed, a plan must be put in place to start the return of the refugees. “Lebanon has called for the establishment of a safe zone for the refugees inside the Lebanese territories,” he stated.
In a statement to LBCI’s Nharkom Said, the minister added that he will present an executive project on Monday to send the refugees back to their home country.
“The refugee crisis cannot be resolved without talks with the Syrian government, since it is directly concerned in the matter,” he said, noting that contacts are being held on a regular basis between the Lebanese and Syrian intelligence apparatuses.
In the same context, he pointed out that the Syrian regions near the Lebanese borders are under the control of the Syrian regime, making it impossible for the refugees to return to Syria without crossing through these regions.