A security official states that the year 2026 will witness the closure of the Syrian refugees file in Lebanon in cooperation with their country and with the United Nations.

He confirms that there are no remnants of former Assad regime officers and that no security threat to Syria will be allowed from Lebanese territory.

A responsible source in General Security tells Annahar that the directorate “succeeded in the voluntary return project for Syrian refugees in cooperation with the UNHCR, and every week numbers of them return. The officers and elements on the ground are carrying out this mission and encouraging them to return by offering financial incentives and exemption from administrative measures. We are renewing these circulars for the third time because they achieved what we set in handling this file, and we extended them until the end of next March. We cannot keep them open indefinitely. Every person who leaves and closes their file has all fines and measures dropped, such as illegal entry or working without authorization.

In addition, those registered with UNHCR who want to return to their country, we facilitate their return and transport, as well as provide medical care for them and follow up on their conditions in Syria through international organizations. As for those who want to come to Lebanon, they can only do so legally through a legal residency and a registered work contract in accordance with Lebanese laws.”

All restrictions have been lifted for anyone who wishes to return legally, and they must be registered with the Ministry of Labor. The government’s plan, through the efforts of the General Security Directorate, aims not to extend this beyond the first three months, and “we are working to close this file before the end of the year in coordination with the UNHCR, and it will be the year of closing the Syrian displacement in Lebanon and settling their status permanently.”

How are the Syrian authorities handling this file?

The security official replies: “There is coordination between the two sides, and the relevant international organizations have committed to the General Security Directorate that they will follow up on the situation of returnees inside Syria at the expense of the United Nations. The authorities in Damascus must make the necessary efforts for their citizens to return to their country. We have informed their officials that it is better for a refugee living in a tent flooded by winter is better off living on his own land."

What about those detained in Lebanon?

The official confirms that official delegations between the two countries are visiting each other and that the matter is now in the hands of the judiciary and the government, pending the formulation of a legal mechanism that could be adopted for the release of detainees, especially those whose hands were not involved in the blood of Lebanese, and those without criminal reasons, and those who have been detained for more than six months (beyond the maximum limit). There is no objection to releasing them, including those who supported or belonged to Jabhat al-Nusra, who could also be released.

What about the remaining Assad officers and the ongoing controversy?

The security official replies: “Everything being said on this issue is incorrect. The army carried out raids in more than one area, and General Security collected information and conducted investigations. It was found that officers living with their families in Lebanon are residing legally, are not engaged in any military or security activity, and have no intent or direction to threaten Syria’s security. Many of them have legal residency. For the record, Lebanon has signed an agreement with the International Committee of the Red Cross that prohibits returning any person who faces danger in their home country.

The number of these officers does not exceed a few dozen. And is it reasonable that Suheil Al-Hassan, who is in Russia, would open an office in Beirut and manage operations from there. President Joseph Aoun stated clearly that no attacks or acts that undermine Syria’s security will be allowed, and General Security is responsible for any resident or displaced person in Lebanon. If someone uses the country for purposes other than the reason they are here, they will be detained and referred to the competent judiciary.”

1.1 million Syrians remain in Lebanon

The number of those who returned to Syria by the end of last year reached 462,000 people since the memorandum began to be applied on July 1. The number of remaining displaced reached one million, but the figure increased due to the displacement of 103,000 people from Sweida and the Syrian coast.