Secretary-General of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Haytham Rahmeh, on Thursday expressed his deep gratitude to the religious scholars and sheikhs of Tripoli, Lebanon, for their tireless efforts regarding the issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon and political detainees in Lebanese prisons to prevent the deportation of those wanted by the Assad regime. Recently, prominent scholars in Tripoli held discussions with the Prime Minister of the Lebanese caretaker government, Najib Mikati, who pledged not to hand over wanted persons in Lebanon to the Assad regime.
Rahmeh said in a statement: “I highly value the efforts of our brothers, the scholars and sheikhs of Tripoli, especially Sheikh Salem Al-Rafi’i, Sheikh Bilal Al-Baroudi, Sheikh Nabil Rahim, and the other sheikhs of Tripoli, who spared no effort in standing by their Syrian brothers, especially regarding the issue of political detainees.” He stressed the importance of this step, especially after dozens of “wanted” deportees from Lebanon to areas under the control of the Assad regime were subjected to arrest, forced disappearance, and brutal torture, emphasizing that the Assad regime continues its barbaric and criminal policies.
Rahmeh stated that it is unacceptable to claim that the areas controlled by the Assad regime have become safe or suitable for the return of refugees. He stressed that the Assad regime and its sectarian militias, which practice terror on safe civilians, still pose a serious security threat to Syrians in general, and to all those who previously participated in demonstrations against the Assad regime in particular. Rahmeh pointed out that the return of refugees is contingent upon achieving a political solution in accordance with UN resolutions, most notably Resolution 2254, holding perpetrators of crimes accountable, and removing the foreign militias brought in by the Assad regime as part of its war on the Syrian people.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
