Lebanon focused on the return of Syrian refugees back to their homeland during its first participation as an observer at the Astana talks on Syria.
The 13th round of the talks concluded in the Kazakh capital Nur-Sultan on Friday.
Beirut has been determined to use all possible ways to ensure the safe return of the displaced to end the massive demographic, economic and daily burden they are having on Lebanon.
Since 2011, the country has taken in 1.5 million refugees, a move that has so far cost it more than $8 billion.
A diplomatic source told Asharq Al-Awsat on Monday that Lebanon was represented at the talks by director of political affairs at the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Ghadi Khoury, and not a delegation, as had been expected.
The source said that the issue of refugees was tackled in a general manner, adding that what is important for Lebanon at the Astana process was to find a solution to the crisis within the framework of the political solution to the Syrian conflict.
The presence of Lebanon at Astana might not be effective and influential for the return of refugees to their homeland due to the US reservations. However, it also might not be damaging because it keeps the issue alive, the source said.
Lebanon’s representative has the right to object on any item that contradicts the interests of the country during the talks. He does not have the right to present any proposals or amendments.
On Monday, a Russian diplomatic source expressed his satisfaction with Lebanon’s representation at the talks.
Last month, President Michel Aoun had set the target of his country’s participation in the talks by saying that “Lebanon is interested in attending the Astana conference because it facilitates efforts to find a political solution that would contribute to the return of refugees to their country.”
