Arab League concerned civilians' evacuation in Syria may lead to demographic transformation

CAIRO, Aug 27 (KUNA) -- Arab League Secretary General Ahmad Abulgheit on Saturday criticized evacuation of the whole population from the Syrian town of Daraya saying reports in this respect are alarming.
News regarding an agreement to end the (regime) siege on Daraya, located some 10 kms southwest of the Syrian capital Damascus, are worrying although it ends the civilians' hardships, the secretary general's spokesman, Mahmoud Afifi, quoted him as saying.
The Arab League chief considers such accords, without the UN aegis, as "dangerous, he said, expressing concern in particularly for evacuation of the town population.
"Evacuation of cities of the natives and coercing them to leave under threat is a breach of international laws," Abulgheit said, fearing recurrence of such procedures in other Syrian cities and towns that may develop into full-scale demographic alteration throughout the country. "Consequences of such an eventuality will threaten Syria's future and the Syrians as a unified people," he stressed.
Some 8,000 are being evacuated from the war-ruined town, in line with an understanding between the regime and city notables. (end) mfm.rk