Syria hands over second batch of bodies

Today Syria released the second batch of those who died in events in Talkalakh, including the bodies of three Lebanese and one Palestinian. The men died in a campaign which claimed the lives of 11 to 14 supporters of the revolution. So far, Syrian forces have handed over the bodies of six Lebanese and one Palestinian from the group. On Sunday morning ambulances carried the four bodies from the Syrian side to the threshold of the Lebanese border, from where they were taken to Tripoli. The family of Palestinian Mohammed Al-Haj received their son's body when the convoy stopped in the Beddawi then the convoy continued in the direction of the city of Tripoli. Family and friends carried him on foot in the direction of Tinal Mosque, chanting slogans condemning the Syrian regime. The preparations were completed earlier in the morning at the border between Lebanon and Syria to receive the four bodies. The Lebanese General Security and Internal Security Forces took a series of extensive security measures. Spokesman for the victims of Talkalakh Sheikh Mohamed Ibrahim came to the border to oversee the return of the bodies. Unexpectedly, Salafi Sheikh Ahmed Al-Aseer also arrived from Sidon with a delegation of clerics accompanied by the singer Fadel Shaker. A few hours before the handover of the bodies, Syrian artillery had shelled the towns of Hekr Janine, Alnura and Aldbabih at the Lebanese banks of the great river. A number of citizens said that live bullets from heavy machine guns had reached their towns but no casualties were reported.