DAMASCUS. Nov 12 (Interfax) - The head of the Russian-Syrian interdepartmental coordination headquarters for the return of refugees, Mikhail Mizintsev, has called on countries that have imposed sanctions on Syria to lift them in order to resolve the refugee problem.
"Problems persist, and it is necessary to consolidate the efforts of the entire international community in order to resolve them. It is crucial to lift these sanctions which harm the Syrian economy and deprive ordinary Syrians of their income," Mizintsev said at the opening of the International Conference on the Return of Refugees to Syria.
"Continuous resistance" from a number of Western states is hindering return of refugees and restoration efforts in Syria, he said.
"We call on the entire international community, countries that host Syrian refugees in their territory, and the humanitarian agencies of the United Nations to expedite the process of Syrian citizens' return to their home country and to effectively contribute to the rebuilding of the Syrian Arab Republic," he said.