Syrian Families Flee Jisr al-Shughour, Idlib, Hama, Daraa to Nabatiyeh

Several southern towns in the Nabatiyeh, al-Zahrani and Tyre areas witnessed in the last few days an influx of more than 25 Syrian families fleeing the unrest in their country, Central News Agency reported Thursday.

Municipal sources in the South told the agency that some of the families were accommodated in shops due to overpopulation in the area during this time of year, while others had to reside in houses that are still under construction due to their inability to pay the rent of residential houses.

The sources noted that the families hail from the unrest-hit Syrian areas of Jisr al-Shughour, Idlib, Hama and Daraa. They added that some refugees were asked by influential political parties in the area about the reason behind their arrival in Lebanon.

Human rights groups say Syrian forces have killed at least 1,300 civilians and arrested more than 12,000 in a sweeping crackdown on dissent following a wave of protests across the Arab world.