The “Sputnik” correspondent in Lebanon reported that the displaced gathered on Thursday morning in the capital Beirut – BIEL (the waterfront), before the convoys set off through the Masnaa border crossing towards Syrian territory. The convoys included 300 refugees registered on the departure lists. Mansour indicated that “the first convoy departed from the Bekaa and included 70 people, and the program was launched at the beginning of last July, in coordination with the Lebanese government and the Lebanese General Security,” explaining that “they communicate with the commission where their return is assessed, in addition to providing other services including legal consultations, securing documents, and cash assistance, while the International Organization for Migration handles transportation.” “Sputnik” also met with several displaced persons, most of whom had spent more than 13 years in Lebanon. They expressed their happiness at returning to their families, while some confirmed that they would start their lives anew despite being aware of the difficulties they would face.
