President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Hadi Al-Bahra, has dispatched letters to key international figures, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, and several high-ranking officials from the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. The letters address the recent attacks on Syrian refugees in Lebanon, calling for immediate intervention to address the perilous and unstable situation facing refugees.
Al-Bahra highlighted the alarming escalation of violence and hostility directed at Syrian refugees, particularly following the assassination of Pascal Suleiman, coordinator of the Lebanese Forces Party in Jbeil. This reprehensible act has triggered a surge of animosity and aggression towards Syrian refugees within Lebanon.
The SOC strongly condemned the crime and extended heartfelt condolences to Suleiman’s family, comrades, and the Lebanese people. Al-Bahra expressed deep concerns about efforts to exploit the incident to incite violence against innocent Syrian civilians and destabilize Lebanon’s security and stability.
Pointing out that the assassination occurred in areas controlled by the Assad regime and Hezbollah militia, Al-Bahra raised suspicions about hidden motives behind the act, aiming to sow discord between the two peoples.
Al-Bahra referenced a video depicting Lebanese men demanding via loudspeakers that Syrian residents in Beirut’s Bourj Hammoud area evacuate by April 12, 2024, under threat of violence and revenge. He emphasized the SOC’s appreciation of the Lebanese government and legal authorities’ responsibility to protect refugees and maintain security within its borders, affirming refugees’ rights to protection under international law.
Al-Bahra appealed to international bodies and addressed countries to collaborate effectively with Lebanese authorities, community and religious leaders, and the UN to safeguard Syrian refugees, prevent their entanglement in political conflicts, and uphold their right to safety and peace.
Highlighting the need for support to reduce violence against Syrian refugees, Al-Bahra underscored UN Security Council Resolution 2254 as the sole viable solution to alleviate the Syrian people’s suffering and prevent regional crises, emphasizing peaceful intervention to counteract any attempts to destabilize Lebanon’s security.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
