Lebanon Moves from Displacement Phase to Organization Phase and a Radical Change in the Situation of Syrians
September 18, 2025176 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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The issue of Syrian displaced persons in Lebanon enters a new phase. Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri announced a comprehensive plan to reorganize the situation of Syrians present on Lebanese territory, following a significant decrease in the number of displaced persons due to the availability of safe return conditions.
According to the new plan, Lebanese authorities will begin in the coming months to remove the status of "displaced" from Syrians present on its territory, as the conditions that led to their displacement are no longer in place. The treatment of Syrians will shift from a humanitarian perspective to an administrative and legal perspective.
Mitri revealed that the Ministry of Labor will begin reviewing the conditions for granting work permits to Syrians residing in Lebanon. At a later stage, the situation of all Syrians residing on Lebanese territory will be reconsidered, where those who meet the legal conditions will be granted a work permit and legal residency. As for those who do not meet the conditions, they will be asked to leave Lebanese territory legally and without resorting to force.
Mitri pointed to close cooperation with the Syrian government and international organizations to facilitate voluntary return operations. He also spoke about security measures to control the borders from both sides, aiming to reduce illegal entry into Lebanon.
It is worth noting that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees announced the return of about 300 Syrian refugees voluntarily under the facilitated return program, while more than 114,000 others expressed their desire to join this program, which offers financial incentives and covers transportation costs.
These developments represent a fundamental shift in dealing with the issue of Syrian displaced persons in Lebanon, moving from a humanitarian emergency situation to an administrative organization phase, in accordance with applicable laws and international standards.
According to the new plan, Lebanese authorities will begin in the coming months to remove the status of "displaced" from Syrians present on its territory, as the conditions that led to their displacement are no longer in place. The treatment of Syrians will shift from a humanitarian perspective to an administrative and legal perspective.
Mitri revealed that the Ministry of Labor will begin reviewing the conditions for granting work permits to Syrians residing in Lebanon. At a later stage, the situation of all Syrians residing on Lebanese territory will be reconsidered, where those who meet the legal conditions will be granted a work permit and legal residency. As for those who do not meet the conditions, they will be asked to leave Lebanese territory legally and without resorting to force.
Mitri pointed to close cooperation with the Syrian government and international organizations to facilitate voluntary return operations. He also spoke about security measures to control the borders from both sides, aiming to reduce illegal entry into Lebanon.
It is worth noting that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees announced the return of about 300 Syrian refugees voluntarily under the facilitated return program, while more than 114,000 others expressed their desire to join this program, which offers financial incentives and covers transportation costs.
These developments represent a fundamental shift in dealing with the issue of Syrian displaced persons in Lebanon, moving from a humanitarian emergency situation to an administrative organization phase, in accordance with applicable laws and international standards.
