Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi announced Monday that Lebanon's displacement crisis has eased, claiming that "the majority of the displaced have returned with dignity to their towns and villages.”
Speaking during a meeting with regional governors at the Interior Ministry, Mawlawi emphasized the importance of initiating a new phase in the country focused on establishing legitimacy and rebuilding the Lebanese state, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
The meeting addressed measures to be implemented at the governorate level following the cease-fire that took effect last Wednesday, ending more than 13 months of attrition conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
Before the cease-fire, over 1.2 million people were internally displaced in Lebanon as a result of the war.
“The governors … protected all Lebanese regions with patriotism and effort despite the difficult circumstances,” Mawlawi said, highlighting their role in safeguarding internally displaced people (IDPs) in coordination with the ministry, IDPs themselves, and host communities.
Mawlawi also praised IDPs and host communities for what he described as their ability to “pass the test” and maintain national unity despite their differences.
“Today, we are looking forward to a new phase of establishing legitimacy and rebuilding the Lebanese state,” he said, adding that this effort requires partnership among all citizens, security and military institutions, as well as local and municipal bodies.