Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi called on Monday for Syrian refugees to return home “to contribute to the reconstruction process of the renewed Syria”.

Speaking at a crossing on the Lebanese border, al-Halqi (pictured speaking to a refugee) claimed that an increasing number of returnees from Lebanon proved “the gradual stability of the security situation” as the Syrian Army made “major advancements”.

More than a quarter of Syria’s pre-war population of 22.5 million have left their homes: more than 2 million are refugees, while more than 4 million are displaced within the country.

Al-Halqi said the Government will provide makeshift shelters to those who return to their home areas “to contribute to reviving the life cycle”.

The Prime Minister claimed a good-will gesture from the regime in evacuating about 3000 people from the Damascus suburb of Moadimiyyat Ash Sham, under siege and bombardment by Syrian forces.