The burning of a camp for Syrian Refugees in northern Lebanon

On December 26th, a number of Lebanese people set fire to a camp for  Syrian refugees, containing about 100 tents, in the town of Minya, Akkarregion, north Lebanon.

The fire led to the displacement of hundreds of refugee families from their tents.

The Lebanese National News Agency reported that a problem arose between a person from Minya and some Syrian workers, which led to a quarrel that resulted in the fall of 3 wounded, and so a group of young men subsequently set fire to a number of tents for the Syrians.

Lebanese Civil Defense vehicles worked to put off  the fire, and a force of the Lebanese army and security forces intervened to control the situation in the area.

In a televised interview, the Governor of North Lebanon, Ramzi Nahra, strongly condemned the fire, noting that the camp is under regular surveillance by the Lebanese army and UN organizations.

“What happened was an individual act that led to a great tragedy. All rational people denounce it, and we denounce what happened because it is outside our customs and traditions,” Nohra said.

O. al-Mohammad