Syrian Minister Says 37 Workers Killed in Lebanon

DAMASCUS, 22 July 2005 — Syria said yesterday that 37 workers have been killed in recent months in Lebanon, where anti-Syrian sentiment has been running high since the killing in February of a former prime minister.

Syrian Labor and Social Affairs Minister Diala Al-Haj Aref told a news conference that about 150 other Syrian workers have been disabled in attacks against members of the Syrian workforce in Lebanon that she estimated at about 300,000 people.

“We demand compensation for all our workers that have been harmed in any way,” she said, adding many workers have been illegally ejected without compensation.

Haj Aref said the numbers of those killed and injured have been verified by the Lebanese authorities. The media has reported a backlash against Syrian workers following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Al-Hariri in Beirut in February.

Many Lebanese politicians have blamed Syria and the pro-Syrian government of Lebanon then of responsibility for the killing of Hariri. Syria denies any role in the killing.