Lebanon, unlike Iraq, Turkey, and Jordan, is refusing to set up refugee camps for Syrian refugees. Some 620,000 Syrians are currently registered as refugees in Lebanon; most are recent arrivals. The Salafi jihadist influence is said to be spreading in Lebanon, in reaction to Hezbollah’s role in Syria. The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon denied reports that Turkey was planning to withdraw its troops. Prime minister-designate Salam ruled out forming a government soon; Hezbollah demands a cabinet role, but other parties want Hezbollah to withdraw its fighters from Syria and play no part in the government.
