Beirut Says Lebanon, Russia Agree To Continue Cooperation On Return Of Refugees To Syria

Lebanon and Russia have agreed to continue cooperation on return of Syrian refugees back home, Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil said Monday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th August, 2018) Lebanon and Russia have agreed to continue cooperation on return of Syrian refugees back home, Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil said Monday.

"Lebanons position on the return of refugees to Syria is well-known and understood- we are for the safe and dignified return of refugees as soon as possible without it being linked to the political process. We have agreed for the foreign ministries of Lebanon and Russia to continue coordination for the success and implementation of this initiative,� Bassil said at a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The minister said that Beirut was ready to cooperate with the United Nations as well.

�We are ready for cooperation and coordination of activities between Lebanon, Russia and Syria and the United Nations, as well as other participants in order to achieve its implementation as soon as possible, Bassil said.

Lebanon has taken in over 1 million Syrian refugees over the several years of armed conflict in Syria. Lebanon's own population is estimated to be slightly over 4 million.