Beirut and Damascus Work to Resolve Issue of Lebanese Citizens Entering Syria

The Lebanese Interior Minister announced on Friday that Damascus and Beirut are working to resolve the issue of restrictions on Lebanese citizens entering Syria. Under Assad's rule, Lebanese could enter Syria without a visa, using only a passport or ID card, but officials of the new Syrian government have closed the border to Lebanese citizens, requiring residency permits or official authorization for entry. Lebanon had previously imposed restrictions on Syrian citizens entering the country, especially after the onset of the Syrian civil war. The office of Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated that he discussed bilateral relations and border tensions in a phone call with Ahmad al-Shara, the interim leader of Syria. Last month, Ahmad al-Shara emphasized the need to maintain mutual respect for the sovereignty of both countries during a meeting with Lebanese Druze leaders who visited Syria. Meanwhile, Lebanese officials announced on Friday, January 8, that several members of the Assad family were detained for attempting to travel from Beirut Airport with expired and tampered passports. Bassam Mawlawi, the Lebanese Interior Minister, stated that some Syrian officials had illegally entered Lebanon and are being pursued. Following this incident, the Syrian embassy in Beirut has been closed until further notice.