BEIRUT, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- A group of the maritime Lebanese army rescued Saturday 30 Syrian refugees trying to escape Lebanon illegally off Akkar shore, local media reported.
After being rescued, the escaping refugees were transferred to one of the army centers in El Abde, according to Elnashra, an independent online newspaper.
Meanwhile, Al Mustaqbal local TV Channel reported that a baby has died while two others were suffocated while trying to escape.
Over 1 million Syrian refugees are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Lebanon, while Lebanon's government estimated the actual number is 1.5 million.
Normally, Syrian refugees willing to return to their homeland must register in centers created by Lebanese General Security.
The General Security outlined earlier punishments for returnees who violated residency requirements, including lifetime bans on many refugees of returning to Lebanon.
