BEIRUT: The U.S. Embassy called Thursday for the protection of
Syrian army deserters in Lebanon who “renounce violence,” and urged the
Lebanese government to meet the humanitarian needs of Syrian refugees in the
country.
“Refugees, dissenters and deserters who renounce violence should
be protected, and we urge the Lebanese government to continue to work closely
with the international community to address the humanitarian needs of those who
have fled to Lebanon from the ongoing violence in Syria,” said an embassy
statement.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says it is
distributing aid to 26,000 Syrian refugees across the country, but some groups
say the actual number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon is much higher.
The statement also said that the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon,
Maura Connelly, met with the family of missing Syrian dissident Shibli Aisamy
on the first anniversary of his disappearance.
“The ambassador expressed her deep concern about the continued
disappearance of Aisamy and shared her support for the family,” the statement
said.
“The United States is deeply troubled by reports of
disappearances, arrests and intimidation of Syrians in Lebanon undertaken by
the Syrian regime and its supporters,” it added.
Friends and family of Aisamy called for a gathering to mark the
first anniversary of his disappearance at 6 p.m. Saturday in Aley, the town
where Aisamy disappeared while on a walk.
Aisamy, a
former Syrian vice president, is widely believed to be in Syria. He is in his
80s.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2012/May-25/174633-us-embassy-urges-protection-of-syrian-deserters-who-renounce-strife.ashx#axzz1vlxK6HAx
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