U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo reportedly said that Lebanon is subject to dangers due to the tremendous number of Syrian refugees it is hosting, stressing the need to lay the groundwork for their return.

“In Lebanon, there are 1.5 million Syrian refugees with all the burden they have on the country in terms of cost and the dangers posed by their presence on Lebanon and its democracy," Pompeo said in a testimony before the Congress.

“The U.S. State Department was leading discussions on how to prepare the favorable conditions on the ground inside Syria so that these refugees can return to their homes," he added.

"This is the specific task that the Lebanese people want. I honestly believe that the return of these individuals is the best for them. We have to make sure that the conditions are appropriate for their return, which the U.S. State Department will be in the front lines to achieve,” Pompeo stressed.