Lebanon plans to remove the “refugee” status from Syrians living in the country in the coming months, as officials say conditions now allow for safe returns following the collapse of the former Syrian regime.

Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri told Al Arabiya/Al Hadath that the number of Syrians voluntarily going back to their homeland has been steadily rising and is expected to continue over the next several months.

“With the conditions for return now in place for those who wish it, the Labor Ministry will review the rules for granting work permits to Syrians residing in Lebanon,” Mitri said. “At a later stage, the status of all Syrians in the country will be reassessed. Those who meet the legal requirements will be granted residency and a work permit.”

He indicated that the Labor Ministry would tighten its oversight of work permits “in the coming months, possibly at the start of the new year.”

“At that point, after a significant portion of Syrians have returned home, the process will become more organized and orderly, in line with the law and without friction or the use of violence,” he said.

Those who do not, he added, will be asked to leave Lebanese territory in accordance with existing laws, without resorting to force.

Mitri stressed that Beirut was actively coordinating with Damascus on the matter.

“We encourage the return of displaced Syrians and are working to promote it in cooperation with international organizations and the Syrian government,” he said.

He noted that the government’s goal was to “regularize the legal and administrative situation of the displaced, which will help address the bulk of the problem.” But he acknowledged that, as in many countries, “there are those residing illegally, and it is difficult to determine their exact numbers.”

The deputy prime minister also said security measures were being enforced along both sides of the border to curb illegal crossings.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said last week that around 300 Syrians had returned voluntarily under a facilitated program run with the International Organization for Migration and Lebanon’s General Security Directorate. More than 114,000 others have expressed interest in joining the UN-supported voluntary repatriation program.

The United Nations has also prepared a plan offering financial incentives for returnees, covering transportation costs and waiving border fees.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Social Affairs recently reported that 162,000 refugee files had been closed for Syrians who have already left, with another 71,000 pending. The ministry added that Syrian authorities were cooperating on the return process.