Lebanon announced on Tuesday the launch of the first phase of its government plan for the voluntary return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.

The Lebanese National News Agency reported that the return process is being coordinated between the Lebanese General Security Directorate and the Syrian government through the Al-Masnaa land border crossing in eastern Lebanon. A gathering point has been established in the town of Bar Elias in preparation for convoys heading to Syria.

This step falls within the framework of a safe and organized return, with the participation of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Lebanese Red Cross, and several humanitarian organizations.

Earlier, Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri stated that the return would be divided into two categories: organized and unorganized. In the organized return, names will be registered, and buses will be provided to transport refugees into Syria, with each refugee receiving $100.

As for the unorganized return, refugees must arrange their own departure date and transportation but will still receive $100.

The Lebanese General Security will waive fines for expired residency permits for departing refugees on the condition that they do not return to Lebanon.