Lebanon may see up to 400,000 Syrian refugees return home in the near future, MP Fadi Alameh said on Wednesday, noting that between 200,000 and 250,000 have already gone back.
Speaking after chairing a session of the Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Committee, Alameh said the meeting focused on the refugee return file and was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Sayed, Minister of Justice Adel Nassar and several lawmakers. He noted that questions were raised about the measures in place to ensure that returns are sustainable and well-organized.
Alameh added that the committee was briefed by Mitri on the outcome of a recent Syrian delegation’s visit to Lebanon and the steps discussed to accelerate repatriation. Mitri reaffirmed Lebanon’s rejection of permanent settlement for refugees while stressing the importance of direct cooperation with the Syrian government, alongside coordination with active UN agencies, to ensure safe and orderly returns.
The discussions also highlighted the need to engage with Turkey and Jordan, given their overlapping roles in the Syrian refugee file. Lawmakers raised the issue of border control, with representatives from General Security and other agencies presenting a detailed report on measures taken at legal and illegal crossings to prevent reverse migration.
The committee further addressed the impact of Syrian labor on Lebanon’s economy, with Alameh noting that Syrian workers now make up a significant share of certain sectors at a time when Lebanese unemployment remains high. A follow-up session will be dedicated to this issue, with the Minister of Labor invited to present a plan for regulating Syrian labor, including updated figures on work permits and departures.
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