Syrian Coalition Calls for Protection of Syrian Refugees in Arsal, Lebanon

Hadi Al Bahra, president of the Syrian Coalition, calls on the United Nations and the Security Council to protect Syrian refugees in Lebanon and guarantee their safety in light of the preparations of the Lebanese Armed Forces to storm the border town of Arsal. “We are seeking to defuse the crisis and restore calm and stability to the town in order to prevent the spillover of violence to Lebanon.” Bahra hinted that some Lebanese sides are trying to spill the conflict in Syria over to Lebanon in line with their agendas and goals in the region. Since the first day we have communicated directly with the rebels in Qalamoun and with the mayor of Arsal to find a way out of the crisis, and a preliminary agreement was reached between the Lebanese armed forces and the Syrian militants to allow for the evacuation of the wounded and the entry of relief aid. However, the town was shelled with rockets in violation of the agreement, causing the outbreak of the fighting that lasted until the next day. We have also received a detailed report on the status of hospitals three and the number of casualties. We are still contacting with several parties inside and outside Arsal to broker a truce and continue the negotiations.” Bahra welcomes the initiative of Sheikh Salem Al-Rifai to reach a cease-fire that starts from this evening. “We call on the Assistance Coordination Unit (ACU) to prepare a contingency relief plan to deliver relief aid to the town once the truce is effective.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)