BEIRUT — A batch of 850 displaced Syrians in Lebanon — out of more than 1.5 million, according to the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR — left the town of Arsal in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley for Qalamoun in Syria July 23. The return was coordinated by the Lebanese General Security agency and relevant security services in Syria.

This batch is the largest to exit the Lebanese territories. In April, 500 displaced Syrians left Chebaa in southern Lebanon for Beit Jinn in the southwest of Syria. They were followed by two batches of dozens of displaced who left Arsal for the Qalamoun villages in June and July.

Arsal Mayor Basel Hujeiri told Al-Monitor, “The Lebanese General Security agency is coordinating the return of the displaced persons with the municipal council. Such a crucial move is, however, insufficient. Coordination between the Lebanese and Syrian governments is needed to accelerate the displaced Syrians’ return from Lebanon [in general] and Arsal in particular, where nearly 40,000 displaced Syrians are accommodated."

The return of displaced Syrians is a contentious matter among Lebanon’s political parties. While Prime Minister Saad Hariri is determined to ensure their safe return via the UN, as he disapproves of coordination with the government in Damascus, Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) have stressed the need to communicate with the Syrian authorities directly to pave the way for their return.