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UN: Coming months important for return of 5.6m Syria refugees

October 2, 2018 at 11:29 am

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi yesterday said the coming months are important for the return of 5.6 million Syrian refugees from neighbouring countries, Arab48 reported.

Speaking before the executive committee for the UNHCR, Grandi said few Syrian refugees are returning.

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Some 750,000 internally displaced Syrians returned to their homes this year, he said, adding that less than one per cent of those who took refuge abroad have returned since the start of 2017.

After meeting Lebanese officials on Sunday, Grandi said: “Return is the best solution for refugees but it must be voluntary and sustainable.”

Grandi added: “For larger numbers of people to decide to go back, it is necessary to build more confidence… It is important also that UNHCR plays a role and has a presence, especially in the areas of return.”