...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn...
-based association was killed in Syrian troop shelling on al-Qalamun region in the neighboring country, media reports said on Tuesday.
"Head of al-Basha'er association Abou Mohammed al-Rifai and others were killed" in the latest battles in Syria, LBCI television said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, meanwhile, reported that seven Islamists were killed in shelling on al-Qalamun region, including the leader of an Islamic brigade.
According to the Syrian revolution's official web page, al-Rifai "founded al-Farouq Brigade, which is one of the first brigades" to fight in the war against
Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneckal-Assad
Oppressor of the Syrians and the Lebs...
's forces.
Before he died on Monday, he was the head of the Wa-A'eddou Brigade, the same source said.
The web page provided more details on his activities in the Syrian war: "He was the real founder of the coordinating committee in charge of taking care of Syria's refugees in Leb. Many activists in Leb were previously involved in the committee, which provided them with support and funding."
And the Local Coordination Committee of Rankous said al-Rifai was killed in the restive Qalamun town, noting that he was in charge of supervising the treatment of the maimed in the northern city of Tripoli before getting involved in military operations.