NNA - Beirut – Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, visited Lebanon today and reaffirmed UNHCR's commitment to support Lebanon and help Syrian refugees who are voluntarily returning to their country.

During his visit, Grandi congratulated President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam on their appointments and discussed support for displaced Lebanese and refugees in the country in the aftermath of the conflict with Israel. Grandi also met with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

Grandi reiterated the agency's unwavering support for Lebanon as it strives to recover and rebuild.

"This is a hopeful moment for Lebanon and the region. Recent developments have created an opening to solving a prolonged humanitarian crisis. My visit to Lebanon is part of a regional visit to explore how best to support returning Syrian refugees. We want to ensure that these returns are sustainable, and this will require improved security and political stability as well as the respect of the rights of all communities in Syria, and the international community's support for recovery and reconstruction of a country that has been devastated by years of war", Grandi said.

Around 210,000 Syrians have returned to Syria in the past few weeks from neighboring countries, including Lebanon.

Only a few months ago, less than two percent of Syrian refugees in the region were planning to return to Syria within 12 months. This has jumped to about 30 percent since the fall of the regime in Syria less than two months ago.

"I will be visiting Syria to meet the new authorities and discuss the potential for more refugees to return from neighbouring countries", the High Commissioner said.

"Cooperation between the Syrian authorities, the donor community and neighbouring countries is essential, along with international support for infrastructure and livelihoods, to ensure sustainable returns and prevent further displacement," Grandi concluded.

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