This issue was and should remain to be primarily a humanitarian matter. The economic dimension of the crisis, and its heavy toll on the Lebanese economy, is well documented, but Lebanon can’t simply send those refugees back in a haste.
The Lebanese would do well to remember how many people had to flee their homes during the 1975-90 civil war, or during the 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon. They should feel the pain of those refugees and show more sympathy towards them.
Sure, a few Syrians here do pose a security threat, but so do a few Lebanese. Mistakes have happened, but that does not mean that Lebanon should wash its hands from its moral obligation, and duty, to look after them and to ensure that once they go back, they would be safe.
The safe return of those refugees, be it to safe zones in Syria or to their home, should be the responsibility of the international community. Until the United Nations decides its time for such a move, the international community should increase its aid to Lebanon and the Lebanese should show more sympathy and humility in dealing with them.