- Title: LEBANON: Syrians continue to flee across border
- Date: 23rd July 2012
- Summary: CLOSE OF SYRIAN GIRL SITTING IN VAN
- Embargoed: 7th August 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA1PPOKQ5I06BCLMI0553VTP9J3
- Story Text: Thousands of Syrians have crossed Lebanon's Masnaa border crossing in the last days as Syrian troops have driven rebel fighters out of two districts of Damascus a week after the insurgents launched a major assault on the capital.
The surge in violence has trapped millions of Syrians, turned sections of Damascus into ghost areas, and sent tens of thousands of refugees fleeing to neighbouring Lebanon.
"I came here for tourism, the situation in Syria is tense, no one can expect what will happen. Only God knows," a Syrian refugee said at Masnaa crossing border as he left Syria on Monday (July 23).
According to the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR up to 30,000 Syrian refugees may have crossed into Lebanon in the week, in a sharp increase of people fleeing fighting in the country.
That would match the number of Syrians who already fled to Lebanon during the 16 months of fighting.
The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) appealed for Syria's neighbours to keep their borders open to allow people to reach safe havens, as Syria's forces fought to recapture border posts and parts of Damascus from rebels. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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