Situation in Syria not suitable for quick return of refugees - UN

BEIRUT, Feb 3 (KUNA) -- While many Syrian refugees were keen to go home, the political and security situation in the country currently made it impossible for large numbers to do so, the UN argued Friday.
In a press conference following his visit to many Syrian cities, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi called for more patience before embarking on any plan to quickly return Syrian refugees back to their war-torn country.
"People need to return eventually to Syria, and we all agree that that's the ideal solution. But we need to be patient," he said.
"More progress needs to be made politically, then economically and infrastructure-wise in order for conditions to be there to have large returns." He added that no safe areas have been announced so far inside Syria.
The UN official urged hosting countries to protect and respect refugees, and not to consider them dangerous people.
"These are people that flee from danger, they're not dangerous themselves," he said. (end) ayb.ibi