BEIRUT: Lebanese officials Thursday welcomed Russia’s proposal for the return of Syrian refugees, pledging to form a committee to oversee the return with General Security playing a key role, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions. Lebanon took its position during talks between high-level Lebanese and Russian delegations at Baabda Palace, which included the Russian president’s Syria envoy, Alexander Lavrentiev, and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin.
President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, along with caretaker Defense Minister Yaacoub Sarraf, Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun, General Security head Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim and others, were briefed on the Russian proposal.
“The Russian delegation presented its suggestions, and the Lebanese did so as well, and [it was agreed that] a security and logistic Lebanese-Russian committee will be formed for the return process,” the source told The Daily Star.