Merhebi Renews Rejection of Dialogue with Syrian Regime over Return of Displaced

State Minister for Affairs of the Displaced Moein Merhebi warned of the consequences if Hizbullah carries out a military assault in the outskirts of Arsal, and stressed that the return of the Syrian refugees must strictly be coordinated with the United Nations, the pan-Arab Asharq al-Awsat daily reported on Friday.

Merehbi said Hizbullah's assault against IS militants in Arsal impacts Lebanon, “the military operation has negative impact, it (Hizbullah) must not involve itself. We have a Lebanese national army that is doing the job in the best way possible," he said.

“It (Hizbullah) must become a political party, this military operation is condemned and so are all its military actions carried out at home and abroad,” said al-Mustaqbal Movement minister.

Media reports alleged on Thursday that Hizbullah has received approval from essential parties in Lebanon, especially al-Mustaqbal Movement, for carrying out a military campaign in Arsal's outskirts to oust the jihadist Islamic State and Fateh al-Sham groups from the area.

Turning to the need for Syrian refugees to return, Merhebi stressed that coordination with Damascus (as per encouraged by Hizbullah) is strictly rejected and that the matter must be coordinated through the UN.

“Dialogue with the Syrian regime is unacceptable. The (Syrian) regime is a criminal regime, it has sent us Michel Samaha to blow us up, how can we negotiate with the Syrian regime? The issue is totally non-negotiable,” emphasized Merhebi.

“The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is doing its job, studying the possibility of their return to a safe area and making plans that may not be announced," he said.

"There is also a team inside Syria dealing with the internally displaced persons, trying to provide them with all the necessities to secure their lives. The return of the Syrians is related to security, it is linked to the establishment of safe and secure areas protected by the Security Council, or the imposition of a comprehensive peace on Syrian territory and preventing all forms of killings and war."

While Hizbullah, the Free Patriotic Movement and their allies are in favor of kicking dialogue with Damascus, al-Mustaqbal Movement and the Lebanese Forces have rejected any communication with Damascus in this regard, insisting that such an issue should go through the United Nations.