Sami Gemayel tackles refugee affairs with Duma deputies

Kataeb Party Leader, MP Sami Gemayel, on Friday pursued his meetings with officials in the Russian capital of Moscow, which he is currently visiting upon an official invitation.

Within this framework, Gemayel held a meeting at the Duma, the Russian parliament building, with a number of deputies, in presence of former minister Alain Hakim and members of Kataeb Politburo, Serge Dagher and Fadi Ardo.

A statement by Kataeb Party said that Gemayel had briefed Duma deputies on the role played by the opposition preserving the sovereignty of Lebanon and on its effort to launch a reform workshop countering the current practices of the existing authority.

"Talks between Gemayel and the Russian MPs focused on the Syrian refugee dossier and on the need to develop a quick and clear plan for their return to their country as soon as possible," the statement read.

Gemayel asked the Russian side to play a mediating role between Lebanon and political parties in Syria in order to preserve Lebanon's official neutrality towards the Syrian crisis.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin's special representative for the Middle East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov, has confirmed to the Kataeb leader Russia's readiness to play a coordinating role between the Syrian regime and factions opposing the return of Syrian refugees from Lebanon to their country," the statement added

Source: NNA