World News

Diplomat: Palestinians in Syria protected

Published: Dec. 20, 2012 at 6:33 PM

DAMASCUS, Syria, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- An agreement has been worked out to ensure the safety of residents of a large Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus, Syria, a Palestinian diplomat said Thursday.

Mahmud al-Khalidi, the Palestinian Authority ambassador to Syria, told Ma'an News Agency Palestinian factions have agreed fighters will not be allowed to enter the Yarmouk refugee camp. He said soldiers loyal to President Bashar Assad will also stay out of Yarmouk.

"We are working to make the entrances of the camp safe for Palestinians," Khalidi said.

He said he has been assured government troops have been withdrawn.

More than 150,000 Palestinians live in Yarmouk, a Damascus suburb. The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees said it has provided shelter for 2,600 in the Damascus area, while another 1,000 fled to Lebanon.

© 2012 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints

Most Popular Collections

'Star Trek Into Darkness' screening	NBC upfronts	Met Ball 2013
'Great Gatsby' premieres in New York	Spire raised on top of One WTC	2013: Celebrity break ups and divorces

Additional World News Stories
Top News Defense: Trayvon Martin photos, texts show different side of teen SANFORD, Fla., May 24 (UPI) -- Pictures and texts from Trayvon Martin's cellphone show a different side of the teenager a Florida man is accused of killing unprovoked, defense attorneys say. A dozen aftershocks felt following Northern California earthquake Flames, smoke from engine force emergency landing at Heathrow Cruz: More 'whacko birds' than McCain thinks Earthquakes shake Tonga	Entertainment News Amanda Bynes released on her own recognizance after pot bust NEW YORK, May 24 (UPI) -- A New York judge has released Amanda Bynes on her own recognizance after the actress was arrested for throwing a bong out of her 36th-floor apartment window. Joe Francis apologizes for his 'appalling' comments Morgan Freeman on nap: I'm a beta tester for Google Eyelids Possible racist incident at Duncan's tomb investigated Neil Patrick Harris to introduce 'Milk' screening
Business News Oil field test from Iraq yields results OSLO, Norway, May 24 (UPI) -- Norwegian oil and gas company DNO International said tests from a field in the Kurdish region of Iraq yielded an average flow rate of more than 100,000 bpd. U.S. Midwest in midst of gas price shock U.S. oil markets more attractive than Canada's EADS sweetens KF-X offering Argentine grain exports hit by port workers' strike	Odd News Dockworker wins $26.5 million, quits job BRENTWOOD, N.Y., May 24 (UPI) -- A New York state dockworker said one of his first acts as a $26.5 million lottery jackpot winner was to quit his job. Fisherman sleeps with croc under bed British Columbia teen rescues dog from cougar Obama shakes Marine's hand after failing to salute 'Court' at Florida school acquits Wicked Witch