Press Statement
Syrian Coalition
Istanbul, Turkey
December 3, 2013
The Syrian Coalition expresses its deep regret over the unethical and inhumane treatment of Syrian refugees in the Lebanese village of Qasr Naba, east of Bekaa. On Monday, December 2, residents of the village set fire to at least 15 tents and knocked down as many as 50 others housing Syrian refugees. The incident happened after residents fabricated allegations against the Syrian refugees. These allegations turned out to be completely false.
The Syrian Coalition realizes the strain on neighboring counties and populations hosting the Syrian refugees and highly values efforts of international organizations and partners aimed at alleviating the suffering of Syrian refugees. It reiterates the need for the international community to provide more assistance to hosting countries in light of the increasing numbers of Syrians crossing the borders and the difficult challenges winter poses.
Thousands of Syrians, including more than 1000 children, arrived in the Lebanese town of Arsaal in the past couple of days, fleeing the heavy shelling by Assad’s forces on the Qalamoun area. The Assad regime continues, in a blatant disregard of international laws, to pursue a systematic policy of displacing civilians as a punishment for supporting the revolution and calling for freedom, justice, and democracy.
We ask for Mercy for our martyrs, health for our wounded, and freedom for our detainees.
Long live Syria and its people, free and with honor.
