Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that the Lebanese army conducted raids lasting around three hours at Syrian refugee gathering places in Masharii al-Qaa in the Bekaa, arresting about 200 people for lacking identity documents and entering the country illegally.
Sham News Network said the Lebanese government continued restricting Syrians and that the pressure was likely to increase soon after its objection to wording in Security Council Resolution 2254 on Syria’s road map. The text called for refugees’ voluntary return alongside the implementation of a ceasefire and the start of negotiations.
Observers said Thursday’s raids formed part of pressure on Syrians who sought refuge in Lebanon to escape killings in which Lebanese Hezbollah participates.