Hundreds of Syrian refugees return home from Lebanon

A vehicle convoy, carrying approximately a group of 100 Syrian refugee are seen on the way to back their home country in Arsal, district of Baalbek, Beqaa, Lebanon on July 12, 2017. ( Suleiman Amhaz – Anadolu Agency )

Some 500 Syrian refugees in Lebanon’s south-eastern town of Shebaa left their homes today heading to Syria’s Beit Jinn, which was recaptured by the regime forces from the opposition in December, media reports have revealed.

According to Sky News, 15 buses provided by Syria reached Shebaa to transport the refugees out following an agreement between authorities in Beirut and Damascus.

The refugees’ convoy was accompanied by Lebanese security forces.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement it was not involved in organising “these returns or other returns at this point, considering the prevailing humanitarian and security situation in Syria”.

Over half of Syria’s population have fled their homes since the outbreak of war in 2011, including more than a million who sought refuge in Lebanon, where they now make up more than a quarter of the population.

Hariri: Lebanon will not force Syria refugees to return

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