Syrian govt creates body to repatriate millions of refugees

The Syrian government will set up a coordination committee to repatriate millions of its nationals who fled the seven-year conflict, AFP said. On Sunday, the cabinet “agreed to create a coordination body for the return of those displaced abroad to their cities and villages,” according to a SANA report. The conflict has displaced more than five million Syrians outside the country, the United Nations says. More than half were displaced to Turkey and most of the rest were split between Lebanon and Jordan. The committee will take the necessary measures to settle the status of all those who were displaced and secure their return as security and basic services return to different regions, according to the Syrian government. Last month, Russia presented the US with plans for the coordinated return of refugees to Syria. The proposal includes the establishment of working groups in both Lebanon and Jordan, involving US and Russian officials.