Mashnouq to Call for Relocating Syrian Refugees Outside Arsal

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq stated on Saturday that he will call for the relocation of Syrian refugees out of the northeastern town of Arsal as tension runs high and clashes aggravate, As Safir daily reported.

“I will call for the relocation of Syrian refugees outside Arsal during Thursday's cabinet session,” Mashnouq said, “because things cannot stay the way they are.”

The number of refugees residing in Arsal have been estimated at almost 120,000.

Mashnouq stressed that the “ministry will establish special encampments for the refugees outside Arsal even if it had to exert the efforts alone.”

He stressed that “anyone refusing to relocate the refugees outside Arsal should in turn shoulder the responsibility of the negative consequences as a result.”

To a question on the location where the refugees are planned to be moved, Mashnouq said: “After a political agreement on the process we would agree on a location. If the refugees stayed in Arsal they would threaten civil peace,” said the Minister.

Arsal has been the battlefront of the Lebanese army in its fight with jihadists since they crossed the border from Syria and overran the town in early August. The militants from al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State kidnapped troops during their withdrawal.

Several soldiers and policemen remain in captivity while three have been executed.

Last week, attackers detonated a roadside bomb against a passing army truck in Arsal killing two soldiers and wounding three.

It said in a communique that it arrested 20 suspects and seized arms, ammunition and military gear from their possession.

D.A.

G.K.