Syrian refugees in north Lebanon dismantle camp upon authorities' order

Hundreds of Syrian families displaced to the Menieh region in northern Lebanon, 10 km from Tripoli, on Monday started to dismantle their randomly erected camp at the request of the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF).

Earlier, the ISF gave the displaced Syrians an ultimatum until Sunday to proceed with removing their tents. No reason was given for the decision, many refugees told Xinhua.

Dozens of camps have been erected on agricultural lands in the Menieh region and are under the supervision of the United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and receive aid from many non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

A security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that "the camps that have been ordered to be removed are adjacent to the main roads, and other camps in different locations have not been affected by the decision."

"We have been asked to remove the tents two weeks ago and we started to look for an alternative," a Syrian refugee, who declined to reveal his identity, told Xinhua.

"Some families decided to move into different regions and erect new camps but this requires financial support, not to mention that we would have to deprive our children of schools they are already attending in Menieh."

A Syrian widow displaced from the devastated city of Homs told Xinhua, also on condition of anonymity, that "I have been living for five years with my husband and three children and now I have to look for another place to live."

"This is annoying, because most of those living here with us are from Homs as well," she said.

A security plan was enforced last year in the northern Akkar region when the ISF and the Lebanese army dismantled all the randomly erected camps for Syrian refugees adjacent to the main road leading to the Syrian border.

According to UNHCR statistics, Lebanon hosts more than 1.1 million Syrian refugees. Lebanese officials, however, put the number at about 1.5 million. Endit