Shaaban to Bogdanov: Hariri welcomes Moscow’s proposal to develop a plan for refugees’ return

In an issued statement Saturday by Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri’s media office, it indicated that PM Hariri has delegated his Advisor for Russian Affairs, George Shaaban, to “communicate with Russian officials over the details of the proposal announced by Moscow regarding the return of Syrian refugees from Lebanon and Jordan.”

In this context, Shaaban met today with Russian President’s Special Representative in the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, who briefed him on the details of the proposal announced by the Head of the Russian National Center for Defense Management, First Lieutenant Mikhail Mizintsev, over the Syrian refugees’ return to the areas they were residing in before the war.

Shaaban said that Prime Minister Hariri welcomed any efforts by Moscow to “develop a joint plan for the return of Syrian refugees, especially from Lebanon and Jordan, and the formation of a joint working group in accordance with the Russian declaration.”

“Prime Minister Hariri is counting on this step, which will be established to address the crisis of the displaced in Lebanon, putting an end to their humanitarian suffering and the serious social and economic repercussions on host countries,” he said.

Shaaban’s encounter with Bogdanov aims to finalize the mechanisms of communication between the Lebanese official parties and the Russian side for coordination on the next steps.

Source: National News Agency