Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati calls on Syrians to return home

(Patria) - Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Saturday called on Syrians who sought refuge in his country to return home following the fall of long-time Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, AFP reported.

- The consequences of the Syrian war have made Lebanon home to the largest number of refugees per capita, and one third of our population consists of Syrian refugees.

The strain on our resources is significant, exacerbating existing economic problems and creating fierce competition for jobs and services.

Today, and after the political transformation in Syria, the best solution to this issue is for Syrians to return to their homeland - Mikati said in English in Rome.

Authorities say that Lebanon, which has a population of 5.8 million, currently hosts about two million Syrians, while more than 800,000 are registered with the United Nations, making it the largest number of refugees per capita in the world.

Many fled Syria after the civil war began following the crackdown on anti-government protests in 2011.

Mikati was at a political festival in Rome organized by the Brothers of Italy party, led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and stated that the "international community, especially Europe, should help Syrians return".

- They should do so by engaging in early recovery efforts in safe areas with Syria - Mikati added.