The Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Youssef Raggi, arrives at the 9th Brussels conference "Supporting Syria: Addressing the Needs for a Successful Transition" at the Europa building in Brussels, on March 17, 2025. (Credit: Nicolas Tucat/AFP)
BEIRUT — The Lebanese Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Rajji said Monday that the return of "Syrian refugees [in Lebanon] is now imperative," speaking from Brussels during a donor conference organized by the European Union to support Syria.
"The return of Syrian refugees is not only possible; it is now imperative," Rajji said. "Prolonging their displacement goes against any political logic and only worsens their tragedy. Their return cannot be limited to humanitarian assistance; it requires decisive political transformations leading to sustainable solutions."
He also expressed hope that the conference "would be the moment where we stop managing the crisis and start resolving it," adding that "any other approach would be a political failure."
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates nearly a million Syrian refugees were in Lebanon before Bashar al-Assad's fall on Dec. 8. Several times since this event, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has called on the millions of Syrian refugees who fled the civil war to return to their country.
'The situation has radically changed'
"The situation has radically changed since the fall of the Assad regime," Rajji pointed out. "For years, uncertainty and instability complicated discussions on the return of refugees. But today, we face a new reality: more and more Syrians express their desire to return and participate in the reconstruction of their country. This enthusiasm for a new start is a unique opportunity that we must seize to facilitate their return."
Citing a UNHCR survey, Rajji emphasized that about 355,000 Syrians "would be ready to return from Lebanon over the next 12 months, provided they receive financial and material support," which would be "a major development that deserves our attention and requires immediate action."
"Lebanon has never been, and still is not, a country of asylum or refuge, neither under international law nor according to our national laws. However, we opened our doors to Syrians for humanitarian reasons, shouldering a burden far beyond our capacities," Rajji added.
Rajji argued that keeping Syrian refugees in Lebanon "no longer has a legal justification."
"The reality in Syria shows that these displaced people are no longer fleeing war or persecution but have instead become economic migrants," the minister said. 'It no longer makes sense to finance economic migrants in Lebanon [given the complex socio-economic crisis the country is witnessing]. The refugee status is intrinsically linked to the conditions of displacement, and when these conditions evolve, the approach must also evolve."
Last Friday, a meeting of several political and religious figures at former Prime Minister Najib Mikati's residence in Tripoli concluded that, based on the Geneva Convention definition of refugees, the individuals in Lebanon are no longer considered refugees, as they are not unable or unwilling to return to their country.
'A disproportionate burden'
Rajji revisited Lebanon's continuous hosting of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees since the start of the 2011 Syrian Civil War. "For more than a decade, Lebanon has borne a disproportionate burden, with Syrian refugees representing nearly a quarter of its population," causing "considerable pressure on its economy, infrastructure and public services."
He expressed gratitude to international partners, including UNHCR and U.N. agencies, the European Union, as well as several countries, such as the U.S., UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, Norway, Switzerland, South Korea and Gulf countries. "Your assistance has been essential in allowing us to manage this immense responsibility," he said.
Rajji, like other political leaders at the conference, called for the "inclusive participation" of all Syrians in the political process and Syria's future-building. "Refugees cannot be excluded from this dynamic," he said, stressing that it is vital tot support not only their return but also their reintegration into Syria's reconstruction.
Rajji argued that lifting sanctions on key sectors in Syria is essential for moving from early recovery to full reconstruction. "It's time to support Syrians within their country," he said. At the conference, the European Union pledged nearly 2.5 billion euros over two years to Syria to facilitate its reconstruction while the United States suspended its aid.
Finally, Rajji addressed the recent arrival of more than 10,000 new refugees fleeing massacres against the Alawite community in northwestern Syria. Rajji highlighted his awareness of the "reality in Syria ... [but] that does not mean we must accept replacing one refugee with another ... We must ensure that all Syrians feel safe in their country and confident to return."
"The Syrian people deserve to return home and rebuild their lives. Meanwhile, Lebanon deserves a chance to recover and rise again," the foreign minister concluded.
Diplomatic meetings
On the sidelines of the conference, Rajji met with several political figures. He stressed to his Polish counterpart the need "to pressure Israel to withdraw from Lebanon," while the Israeli army occupies several "strategic" positions in southern Lebanon.
For his part, Radosław Sikorski informed the Lebanese minister that "the Polish airline will resume its flights to Beirut next May" and extended an invitation to visit Warsaw, reported the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
Rajji also met with his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, and Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission. During the meeting with the latter, Joe Rajji emphasized "the need for a rapid return of displaced Syrians," while reaffirming "the Lebanese government's commitment to reforms."
He also thanked the European Union for its support to Lebanon and for planning to hold an Association Council between the European Union and Lebanon this year, while inviting Kaja Kallas to visit Lebanon.
This article was originally published in French in L'Orient Le-Jour.
