UN chief expects difficulties in sending refugees back to Syria

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expects there to be major difficulties in sending refugees back to Syria, Masralarabia.com reported on Friday.

In a letter sent to Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, Ban said that the decision about the permanent settlement of Syrian refugees should be left up to the host country. In doing so, he noted that the return of the refugees to Syria needs radical changes in the conditions on the ground before it can happen.

“The United Nations will continue to work firmly to reach a permanent settlement of the conflict [in Syria] and reduce the burdens placed on some countries, including Lebanon,” Ban said in his letter. “The return of peace in Syria will allow the United Nations to contribute towards creating the necessary conditions for a voluntary return of the refugees in safety and dignity.” He suggested that returning to their home is the best solution for most of the refugees and called for international protection for them due to the lack of such cover from their government.

The UN chief revealed that the UN is looking to get more financial assistance for Lebanon to help it cope with the refugee crisis, while seeking the means for Syrians to be accepted in other countries.

Ban also expressed his deep gratitude to Lebanon for hosting more than a million Syrian refugees, and pointed out that the UN is working with the World Bank and other partners to enhance the support given to host countries, “in order to contain the shock that has hit their economy and social fabric.”