Sun Apr 20, 2014 09:57:09
Dozens of Saudi militants fighting in Syria have surrendered themselves to the Saudi embassy in Lebanon in order to be sent back home, Arab media report.
According to al-Quds al-Arabi daily, the militants fled to Lebanon after the Syrian army took control of the strategic al-Qalamoun region following a fierce battle.
The militants had been fighting for the al-Qaeda-linked group al-Nusra Front.
The Saudi embassy has reportedly asked the Lebanese authorities to facilitate the entry of any Saudi national escaping into Lebanon from Syria.
Syria has been experiencing unrelenting militancy since March 2011. Reports indicate that more than 150,000 people have so far been killed and millions of others displaced due to the ongoing violence.
Saudi Arabia - along with Qatar, Turkey and some of its Western allies - is viewed as one of the main supporters of militants fighting to overthrow the Syrian government.
In March, Syria formally complained to the United Nations about Saudi Arabia’s role in supporting foreign-backed militants operating in the country.
In letters to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and President of the Security Council Sylvie Lucas, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said the Saudi regime is promoting extremism in the region, noting how Riyadh continues to fan the flames of turmoil in Syria.
NTJ/HH
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