BEIRUT: Tighter controls on the presence and movement of Syrian refugees in the Bsharri district, northeast of Beirut, were being introduced Monday, in an attempt to preempt any reoccurrence of Arsal-style clashes after the showdown between Syrian militants and the Army earlier this month.
The new recommendations were agreed at a meeting attended by the local governor that brought together village mayors in the area alongside security officials.
Recommendations included increasing cooperation between the municipalities and the Internal Security Forces by exchanging information on any developments or incidents that might have an impact on security.
This came along with requiring Syrian refugees to keep their papers up to date and making sure that they have a registration card from UNHCR, as well as imposing a curfew on the movement of refugees on motorcycles after 7 p.m., and shutting down all businesses operated or owned by Syrians.
Other recommendations called for cracking down on violations, especially with regard to the use of unlicensed motorcycles, increasing municipality control, monitoring the assistance offered by donors, and updating information on the number and whereabouts refugees through regular reports to be submitted by the municipalities.
The number of Syrian refugees who have sought shelter in Lebanon was estimated to be over 1.3 million, with the highest concentration in north Lebanon and in the Bekaa.
Villages and towns throughout the country have introduced regulations to keep control and track of the Syrian refugees they are hosting, a process that many stepped up following the clashes between the Army and the Syrian militants who overrun Arsal, on Lebanon’s eastern border with Syria.
Some 19 troops, in addition to more than 15 civilians and over 60 militants were killed in the clashes.
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