Thousands seek refuge in Lebanon from Syria flare-up

[YahooNews]

Thousands of Syrian refugees have poured into Lebanon over the past two days as fighting between government forces and rebels has flared near the border, Lebanese officials said Saturday. The refugees were fleeing the Qalamoun mountains north of Damascus, a strategic border district with a mixed Sunni Muslim and Christian population where both sides have been massing forces. Lebanon already hosts more than 814,000 Syrian refugees, and recent clashes between Lebanese factions split over the war in neighbouring Syria have raised fears the conflict could spill across the border. "Starting Friday night, a large number of Syrian refugee families fled to the eastern Bekaa region, notably to Arsal, where 1,200 families took shelter," Lebanon's social affairs ministry said.