Syrian refugees living in Lebanon have spoken out against proposed Russian involvement in their planned repatriation.
Following a Russian delegation's visit to Lebanon, on Wednesday officials announced plans for a joint Lebanese Russian committee to coordinate the return home of Syrian refugees.
But Syrians living in the Beqaa Valley town of Arsal – which with 50,000 refugees is one of the biggest settlements in Lebanon – told The National that they opposed the Russian proposal.
“Russia is responsible for the death of my fellow citizens. I do not believe it will guarantee me a safe return”, said Abou Brahim, a teacher from Qalamoun, a region of Syria which borders the Beqaa. “Russia and Bashar Al Assad are exactly the same for us”
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Since 2015, Russia military support to President Assad has helped to turn the tide of the seven-year civil war in the embattled leader's favour. Recently, Russian airstrikes have been instrumental in the Syrian government's offensive to retake the southern provinces of Deraa and Quneitra.
But Russia’s support of President Al Assad alarms Syrian refugees, many of whom fled persecution. “We want international protection from the United Nations and from countries like France, Turkey or Saudi Arabia,” said Wissam, a 25-year-old who gave only his first name.
Like many young Syrian men, he said he had deserted the Syrian army five years ago after witnessing violent suppression of peaceful demonstrations in Latakia.
Lebanese politicians are eager for Syrian refugees to return home, arguing that they represent an unbearable burden for the weak local economy and infrastructure. Nearly one million Syrian refugees are registered with the UNHCR in Lebanon, but officials say their number could be as high as 1.5 million.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun said in a statement on Friday that he welcomed Russia’s suggestion to secure the return of 890,000 refugees, following a meeting between a Russian delegation and top Lebanese officials on Thursday. President Aoun called on the UN to participate in Russia’s plan.
UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Pernille Dahler Kardel, who met President Aoun on Friday, didn’t directly respond to his request but stated that the UN is committed to cooperating with Lebanon to maintain the country’s security.
Voluntary returns of Syrian refugees from Arsal and South Lebanon have increased markedly in recent weeks. One of Lebanon’s main intelligence units, General Security, coordinated their departure with Syrian intelligence, which approved the names of those who wished to return.
In Arsal, some 3000 refugees registered for departure with 2000 already leaving, said deputy mayor Rima Kronbi. The remaining 1000 are expected to return in the coming weeks but registration has been put on hold for unknown reasons, said Ms Kronbi.
“Those who left Arsal were mostly worried about law 10”, says Abou Saleh, a lawyer from Jreijir and a member of a committee which claims to represent the 35,000 Syrians from Eastern Qalamoun who live in Arsal.
Law 10 was passed in April with the aim of facilitating reconstruction of Syria, but watchdogs have warned that the law – which gives residents a deadline to prove ownership of their homes – could be used to dispossess displaced Syrians.
“I care more about my life than about my house back in Syria,” said Mr Abou Saleh.
Refugees returning home say hardship in Lebanon is a primary factor. “I have no future here in Lebanon,” said Assaad Ramadan, 47. “In Syria, I have a chance to improve my situation.”
Others plan to return in spite of reservations. “I don’t believe in the Russian proposal,” said Abou Hassan, who plans to return to Syria to seek an operation to repair his six-year-old’s cleft palate. “People are still dying in Syria.”
But being of military age, he said he expected to be conscripted when he returned to Syria. “I’m comfortable in Lebanon,” he said. “If my son wasn’t ill, I would stay here.”
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m
8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
BRAZIL SQUAD
Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).
