NNA – Caretaker Foreign Minister, Abdullah Bou Habib, on Friday met with UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, and a delegation from the agency to discuss solutions to the Syrian refugee crisis.
Bou Habib reiterated Lebanonrsquo;s position, stressing the need for the ldquo;safe and dignified returnrdquo; of Syrian refugees and called on UNHCR to enhance communication with the Syrian government.
In turn, Menikdiwela noted a ldquo;positive shiftrdquo; in Syriarsquo;s handling of refugee matters, indicating that 30,000 Syrian refugees are expected to voluntarily return from Lebanon in the coming months.
For his part, Bou Habib encouraged the continuation of this process, emphasizing that many areas in Syria are now safe for return.
Bou Habib separately met with French Ambassador to Lebanon, Herveacute; Magro, with whom he discussed the situation in southern Lebanon and France#39;s efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.
Bou Habib expressed gratitude for Francersquo;s role in the UNIFIL mandate extension and urged a reevaluation of Europersquo;s approach to the Syrian refugee issue. He also briefed Magro on recent Arab League ministerial meetings in Cairo.
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