UN halts Syrian refugee registration in Lebanon

A Syrian rights group says government warplanes have attacked a strategic rebel-held northern town in the latest setback to international efforts to secure a cease-fire during a Muslim holiday that begins this week. Listen to this report from regional correspondent Nathan Morley:

The opposition Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Tuesday's air strikes targeted Maaret al-Numan, a town that rebels seized earlier this month, effectively cutting a highway linking the capital Damascus with Syria's northern financial hub of Aleppo.

Meanwhile, the recent spate of insecurity and growing tensions in Lebanon has forced the UN refugee agency to temporarily halt the registration of Syrian refugees in the country.

Lebanese cities affected by the suspension include the capital Beirut, Tripoli, Akar and Saida in the south.

UNHCR says the number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon has now reached over 101,000 with more than 5,500 registered last week.