On Thursday, Bassil said UNHCR has discouraged refugees in the Lebanese border town of Arsal from returning home by asking them questions about potential situation they may experience in Syria, including the likelihood of military conscription, security issues and poor accommodation.

„We sent a mission that verified that the UNHCR is intimidating the displaced who wish to return voluntarily,“ the Lebanese foreign minister tweeted.

However, Nadim Mounla, an aide to Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, said Bassil‘s decision was „unilateral“ and „not representative of the Lebanese government‘s position.“