Tanf

Here, at al-Tanf camp, ruthless sandstorms sweep across ... digg

Fay Ferguson: Syrian-Iraqi Border: Human Bargaining Chips 2009

The resettlement of al-Tanf's 850 refugees is a thorny issue.

Fay Ferguson: Syrian-Iraqi Border: Human Bargaining Chips 2009

Hamas has maintained a silent presence at al-Tanf alongside the UN since the first few refugees arrived, bringing weekly deliveries of everything from fresh vegetables, meat, clothes and blankets to cash and televisions.

Fay Ferguson: Syrian-Iraqi Border: Human Bargaining Chips 2009

The UNHCR disagrees with opposition to resettling al-Tanf's Palestinians in a third country.

Fay Ferguson: Syrian-Iraqi Border: Human Bargaining Chips 2009

Mr Habbash rejects the notion however, that Syria should shoulder the responsibility for al-Tanf's refugees.

Fay Ferguson: Syrian-Iraqi Border: Human Bargaining Chips 2009

Ms Wilkes added that UNHCR is in ongoing discussions with Sudan and Western countries about the resettlement of al-Tanf's refugees.

Fay Ferguson: Syrian-Iraqi Border: Human Bargaining Chips 2009

Here, at al-Tanf camp, ruthless sandstorms sweep across the scorpion-infested desert plains, whilst temperatures soar into the fifties in summer and plummet into the minuses in winter.

Fay Ferguson: Syrian-Iraqi Border: Human Bargaining Chips 2009

"If the PA was serious about the right to return, they would talk to the Egyptian government and persuade them to allow al-Tanf's refugees into the country so that they can cross into Gaza rather than Europe," Mr Nasser says.

Fay Ferguson: Syrian-Iraqi Border: Human Bargaining Chips 2009

While Hamas 'Damascus-based leadership has asked the Syrian government to take in al-Tanf's refugees, its refusal to do so is a position the faction understands.

Fay Ferguson: Syrian-Iraqi Border: Human Bargaining Chips 2009

Since October 2007, al-Tanf has grown in numbers from 350 to almost 1,000.

Fay Ferguson: Syrian-Iraqi Border: Human Bargaining Chips 2009