Lebanese Caretaker Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil asserted on Monday that his country rejected to link the return of Syrian refugees to a political solution in their homeland.
Bassil said Lebanon wants a quick, gradual and safe return of displaced Syrians.
"We have practical ideas regarding the return of Syrian refugees home," he said.
Bassil was speaking from Moscow during a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
The two officials discussed challenges facing Lebanon for hosting some 1.5 million displaced Syrians.
Lavrov said Moscow would work with Lebanon to help facilitate the return of the displaced.
"Russia rejects foreign intervention in Lebanon's domestic affairs. We will help Lebanon return the Syrians to their country, " the minister said.
Russia announced earlier that 7,000 displaced Syrians had returned in the last month.
Lavrov said that Lebanon should not be a hostage of the Syrian crisis.
"Lebanon's stability is crucial for that of the region," he stressed.
The Russian minister also used the occasion to launch a scathing attack on some parties in the West, which he accused of rejecting to take part in reconstruction in an attempt to impede the return of refugees.
Bassil also tackled the issue of Syria’s reconstruction during his meeting with the Russian official.
He said channels between Lebanon and Russia will be opened to implement the Russian repatriation plan.
"Lebanon must be a platform for the reconstruction of Syria; strategic cooperation between Lebanon and Syria is thus necessary," he stressed.
Earlier, Bassil lashed out at the UNHCR for encouraging Syrian refugees to stay in Lebanon.
Lebanese parties remain divided on how to deal with their return.
