International peace envoy jeered at refugee camp

The new international envoy tasked with ending the 18-month conflict in Syria visited refugee camps in Jordan and Turkey yesterday, saying that he hopes the Syrians will find peace soon.

But in Jordan, some angry refugees protested against his visit – an indication of widespread skepticism that a mission Lakhdar Brahimi himself has called "nearly impossible" will bring results. Some 200 refugees at the Zaatari desert camp chanted, "Leave our camp. By seeing Bashar, you've extended his life." They were referring to Mr Brahimi's earlier meetings with President Bashar al-Assad. Some teenagers threw stones at the vehicles of the envoy's entourage, Associated Press reported.

Mr Brahimi, left, also toured a camp in the Turkish border province of Hatay. Dozens of refugees demonstrated outside the camp, waving a rebel flag. With no sign of the crisis abating, activists say that 23,000 people have been killed and the UN says more than 250,000 people have become refugees.

AP