Religious Leaders Boost Efforts To Aid Return Of Syrian Refugees - Russia Defense Ministry

Religious Leaders Boost Efforts to Aid Return of Syrian Refugees - Russia Defense Ministry

Religious leaders are intensifying their efforts aimed at ensuring the return of Syrian refugees, head of Russia's National Defense Control Center Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev said Thursday.

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 20th September, 2018) Religious leaders are intensifying their efforts aimed at ensuring the return of Syrian refugees, head of Russia's National Defense Control Center Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev said Thursday.

"On the sidelines of the 60th Damascus International Fair, Syrian Grand Mufti Ahmad Hassoun carried out significant work on consolidation of efforts of Syrian emigre business people aimed at the post-war reconstruction of the country. Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch [and All the East] John X while visiting Lebanon held a number of meetings with local officials and spiritual figures, during which he said that the internal political situation in Syria had improved and called for promotion of refugees' return," Mizintsev said at a meeting of Russian-Syrian headquarters coordinating the return of refugees.

He also pointed out that Pope Francis had supported the process of Syrian refugees' return, which from the pope's point of view must become a key priority for the whole international community.

Mizintsev said that restoration of full-fledged internal political life played a key role for the post-war revival of Syria.

"On September 16, municipal council elections took place. Despite the current difficulties, the leadership of Syria created all the necessary measures for the free expression of people's will. The opposition forces got an opportunity not to just express their opinion but to allow real and effective measures on reforming the governance system," he added.

Syria has been torn apart by civil war since 2011, with the government fighting numerous opposition groups and terrorist organizations. Russia is assisting the country in returning to peace, being a guarantor of the ceasefire regime and having announced in late July the creation of a refugee center in Syria that would receive, relocate and accommodate civilians returning home.