Army Arrests Dozens of Syrians for Illegally Entering Lebanon

Syrians who were detained in August for illegally entering Lebanon. (Army Command)
Syrians who were detained in August for illegally entering Lebanon. (Army Command)
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Army Arrests Dozens of Syrians for Illegally Entering Lebanon

Syrians who were detained in August for illegally entering Lebanon. (Army Command)
Syrians who were detained in August for illegally entering Lebanon. (Army Command)

Security forces in Lebanon have continued their crackdown on people who have illegally entered the country.

The army raided several camps in the eastern Bekaa region, arresting dozens of Syrians.

The Army Command said on Saturday that a military unit, backed by the intelligence bureau, carried out various raids against Syrian refugee camps in the Bekaa, detaining 43 Syrians for illegally entering Lebanon and failing to produce valid documents.

Investigations are underway with the detainees, it added.

Lebanon has been stepping up its crackdown against illegal activity by refugees in the country.

Earlier this week, a commercial store, run by Syrian refugees, was shut down in the Baalbek-Hermel region because the Syrian owners were operating it without a permit.

Another Syrian, identified as M.A., was arrested for the possession of counterfeit identity documents.

Meanwhile, former President Michel Suleiman demanded the formation of an international coalition that would pressure the international community to resolve the refugee crisis in Lebanon.

In a statement, he noted that Cyprus has approached the European Union and United Nations over the refugee problem and their burden on Lebanon.

Coordination is necessary with nearby countries that have been affected by the refugee waves in order to form a coalition that would pressure the international community, he went on to say.

Lebanon’s caretaker government adopted several measures last week to tackle the crisis. It decided to form a ministerial delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, that would visit Syria to discuss the refugee issue.

Among the measures adopted was intensifying land and marine border security, carrying out a complete tally of refugees and removing all of their violations against state infrastructure.



UN Envoy: Situation in Syria ‘Dangerous’ and Threatens ISIS Resurgence

FILED - 29 November 2020, Switzerland, Geneva: Geir Otto Pedersen, United Nations special envoy for Syria, speaks during a press conference at the UN's European headquarters. Photo: Violaine Martin/UN Geneva/dpa
FILED - 29 November 2020, Switzerland, Geneva: Geir Otto Pedersen, United Nations special envoy for Syria, speaks during a press conference at the UN's European headquarters. Photo: Violaine Martin/UN Geneva/dpa
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UN Envoy: Situation in Syria ‘Dangerous’ and Threatens ISIS Resurgence

FILED - 29 November 2020, Switzerland, Geneva: Geir Otto Pedersen, United Nations special envoy for Syria, speaks during a press conference at the UN's European headquarters. Photo: Violaine Martin/UN Geneva/dpa
FILED - 29 November 2020, Switzerland, Geneva: Geir Otto Pedersen, United Nations special envoy for Syria, speaks during a press conference at the UN's European headquarters. Photo: Violaine Martin/UN Geneva/dpa

Geir Pedersen, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, warned on Tuesday that the situation in Syria is extremely fluid and dangerous, as a vast swathe of territory has come under the control of non-state actors.

At a briefing to the Security Council on the situation in the country, Pedersen also cautioned that developments may lead to the resurgence of ISIS.

“Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) and armed opposition groups are gaining ground, advancing very close to Hama – a major city of some 1 million people,” he said.

In addition, the envoy warned of the potential for conflict on other axes in Syria, adding that further military escalation risks mass displacement and civilian casualties.

“I appeal to all parties to their obligations under international law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and allow safe passage for Syrians fleeing violence,” Pedersen told the Council.

He then urged deescalation and a rapid move to a serious political process to avoid a deepening of the crisis that threatens the territorial integrity and safety of Syria.

“If we do not see deescalation and a rapid move to a serious political process, involving the Syrian parties and the key international players, then I fear we will see a deepening of the crisis,” he said.

Pederson then revealed that he will return to the region “soon,” and he expressed his readiness to use his good offices to convene international and Syria stakeholders in new and comprehensive peace talks on Syria.

The envoy asked that deescalation be accompanied by a credible political horizon for the Syrian people

Over the past few days, armed factions in northwestern Syria led by the HTS launched a military assault against pro-Assad forces, seizing Aleppo and Idlib. They continue to advance towards the city of Hama.