Lebanese Defense Minister Major General Michel Moawad called on the authorities at the Al-Aboudieh and Al-Arida border crossings with Syria to facilitate the departure procedures of Syrian refugees from Lebanese territory and their return to their country.

During an inspection tour of the two crossings today, according to the Lebanese Al-Jadeed TV website, Moawad emphasized “the necessity of facilitating the departure procedures of Syrians without violating legal and security standards, while taking humanitarian considerations into account.”

Moawad reviewed the organizational, administrative, and security procedures taken at both crossings to ensure the departure of Syrian refugees from Lebanon towards Syrian territory, stressing “the importance of continuous coordination between the army, security agencies, and relevant administrations to ensure the smooth running of the process and an organized return for them.”

Yesterday, Kelly Clements, Deputy United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, announced that more than 200,000 Syrian refugees have returned from Lebanon since the beginning of this year.