Lebanon’s Interior Ministry has called on all Syrian refugees registered in the country not to travel to Syria as of June 1.

The ministry warned that those who leave Lebanon will loose their rights as refugees.

A government source who declined to give his name described the ministry’s decision as “wise” due to pervasive security concerns in the war-torn country.

The decision came after the Syrian embassy in Lebanon said in a statement that all refugees who wish to travel back to vote in the upcoming presidential elections are welcome, with polling stations being placed near the Lebanese border.

An estimated 1.1 million Syrians are living as refugees in Lebanon.

More than 40 per cent of Syria’s pre-war population of 22.4 million has been displaced by the conflict now in its fourth year, according to UN agencies.

In addition to the 2.6 million refugees in neighbouring countries, about 6.5 million are displaced inside Syria.

At least 162,000 people have been killed in the conflict that began in March 2011 with peaceful anti-government demonstrations.

The elections, which incumbent President Bashar al-Assad is expected to win, will be held on June 3.

Al-Assad became Syria’s president in 2000 after the death of his father, Hafez, who ruled the country for almost 30 years.