Beirut: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam discussed the Syrian refugee issue Monday with the visiting Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly Clements.
During the meeting, Clements affirmed that UNHCR is working with both the Syrian and Lebanese sides to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees to their homes, while simultaneously seeking to secure the necessary resources to improve living conditions in Syrian areas, making the return sustainable.
She noted that more than 200,000 Syrian refugees have left Lebanon so far, either individually or through organized returns implemented by the Ministry of Social Affairs in cooperation with UNHCR.
She expects more than 200,000 more to return before the end of the year.
She also stressed that UNHCR's work in Lebanon will continue despite shrinking resources, while maintaining its support for Lebanon.
In turn, the Lebanese Prime Minister called for a tripartite meeting involving the UNHCR and the Lebanese and Syrian sides as soon as possible, with the aim of strengthening cooperation and coordinating efforts on the return issue.
