BEIRUT, July 29 (Xinhua) -- More than 120 Syrian refugees returned to their homeland on Tuesday via the Masnaa border crossing in eastern Lebanon.

This marks the first group of returnees under a government-backed repatriation plan. The refugees had gathered earlier in the day at Al-Nahda Club stadium in the town center of Bar Elias, eastern Lebanon, before being transported to the Masnaa crossing for their return to Syria.

The convoy was escorted to the border by patrols from Lebanon's security forces. Upon entering Syrian territory, Syrian security forces took over responsibility.

The return operation was carried out in coordination with Syrian interim authorities as well as several international humanitarian organizations.

Lebanon's Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Al-Sayed, who oversees the Syrian refugee portfolio, told the National News Agency that the number of Syrians expected to return under this plan could reach between 200,000 and 400,000 by the end of the year.

According to estimates by Lebanon's General Security Directorate, the country currently hosts more than 2.08 million Syrian refugees, although only 825,000 are officially registered with the UN refugee agency UNHCR. ■