Mashnouq Orders Facilitating Entry of Assyrian Refugees from Syria to Lebanon

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq revealed that he had ordered security agencies to facilitate the entry of Assyrian refugees from Syria, who are fleeing the persecution of Islamic State group extremists, reported the daily al-Mustaqbal Sunday.

He told the daily that he had taken the decision following consultations with Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Rashid Derbas.

He explained that his order does not contradict the government's decision regarding halting the entry of Syrian refugees to Lebanon.

The cabinet decision excludes humanitarian cases, which Mashnouq said the Assyrians fall under.

MP Nabil de Freij meanwhile estimated to al-Mustaqbal that some 5,000 Assyrians could seek refuge in Lebanon.

Earlier this week, IS extremists launched a new offensive in Syria and kidnapped 220 Assyrian Christians, raising fears of their persecution in the country.

Before Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, there were 30,000 Assyrians in the country, among an estimated Christian population of about 1.2 million.

IS is accused of multiple abuses against minorities in the areas under its control in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere.

M.T.