BALADI NEWS
Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry has stressed that a Russian initiative launched last year to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland remains active amid skepticism about its fate.
“The Russian initiative is still alive and Moscow advised Beirut to directly contact the Syrian regime, because dealing with the regime helps address the financial difficulties arising from the matter,” Amal Abu Zeid, representing Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil in the Russian-Lebanese committee, told Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday.
Abu Zeid said Russia also recommended that Lebanese parties unify their stances on the Syrian refugee crisis. “This would strengthen the position of Lebanon in any future talks on the matter.”
Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin has said on several occasions that Syria had readied villages and the infrastructure to receive refugees returning from Lebanon.
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri rejects any political ties with the regime of Bashar Assad while some parties back such direct contact.
Despite his stance, the PM hasn’t objected to the role played by General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim to handle the return of displaced Syrians in buses after receiving the green light to enter Syrian territories.
Source: Asharq al-Awsat.