150 families return to Syria from Lebanon amid efforts to repatriate refugees

Around 150 Syrian refugee families have returned to Syria from Lebanon, as the two countries work to repatriate people displaced by the country's 13-year civil war.

One hundred families living in Arsal in Lebanon entered Syria's western Qalamoun region via the Zemrani crossing while another 50 travelled to Qusayr and the Homs countryside at the Jusiyah crossing, according to the Arabic news site Arabi21.

The families' return was done under the auspices of the Lebanese army, which is organising weekly trips to assist Syrian refugees returning to their country.

Syria's brutal 14-year civil war triggered the displacement of more than 14 million civilians, 6.7 million of whom fled to neighbouring countries.

Tens of thousands of refugees have returned to the country since rebels ousted Bashar al-Assad in early December.

It is unclear how many have left Lebanon, which continues to host hundreds of thousands of Syrians.

The return of refugees has been a key part of discussions between the new Lebanese and Syrian governments.

Lebanon's deputy prime minister said last month that the countries are working on a joint plan to facilitate the gradual return of Syrians still living in Lebanon.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has said it is working with other humanitarian agencies to help an estimated 400,000 Syrians return to Lebanon.

Sectarian strife triggers new Syria refugee influx

However, nearly 37,000 people have fled Syria into northern Lebanon since March due to the outburst of sectarian violence in the country's coastal region.

Hundreds of Alawite civilians were reportedly killed in the violence, which was sparked by clashes between pro-government forces and Assad-linked militants.

"The hostilities in the Tartous, Lattakia, Homs and Hama Governorates of Syria in early March continue to displace people in the North and Akkar Governorates, reaching 36,787 people," the UN Refugee Agency said in a report on 2 May.

The agency expects the number to further increase.