A copy of a statement issued by the Egyptian Office for Refugees obtained by NOW said that the arrest campaign was conducted following instruction by the Syrian consul in Egypt, who provided the Egyptian authorities with names of Syrian refugees who backed the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad.
UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming has said that there was "growing and disturbing anti-Syrian sentiment" in Egypt, raising fears among the refugee community.
The UN says nearly 90,000 Syrians have registered with the High Commissioner for Refugees in Egypt.
But the actual number of Syrians who have sought refuge in Egypt is believed to be much higher, in part because the country did not require Syrians to have visas in the beginning of July.
