Caretaker Interior Minister Judge Bassam Mawlawi instructed the General Directorate of General Security to take immediate measures at the Syrian-Lebanese border to prevent Syrians from attempting to enter Lebanon illegally and to promptly increase the number of personnel.
Following up on the situation at the Masnaa border crossing, he also tasked on Monday the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces with intervening, dispatching reinforcements from the Mobile Forces Unit to secure the crossing, establish checkpoints and maintain control.
For its part, the General Directorate of General Security explained that “due to the absence of Syrian General Security personnel at the Jdeidet Yabous border center, a large number of Syrians moved toward the Masnaa border crossing.”
“Some attempted to forcibly enter without complying with Lebanese General Security procedures,” they added in a statement.
To that effect, the statement affirmed that “General Security, in coordination with the Army and Internal Security Forces, managed to control the situation, returning them to Syrian territory and allowing entry only to those meeting the required conditions.”
On Sunday, the Lebanese Army highlighted its ongoing efforts to maintain security and stability at the border, announcing “heightened surveillance measures” and “reinforcement of units tasked with monitoring and securing the northern and eastern borders.”
“Amid rapidly evolving developments and the sensitive circumstances the region is experiencing, the Army Command is monitoring the situation along the borders and internally to prevent any threat to civil peace. Simultaneously, units deployed across Lebanon are implementing exceptional measures to maintain security and safeguard civil peace,” it affirmed.
Later on Sunday evening, retired General Khalil Helou raised concerns about possible Syrian military movements into Lebanon. Speaking on Sar al-Waet show on MTV, he questioned, “Did Syrian army personnel flee to Lebanon?”, holding the state “accountable” if so.
Helou pointed out that “The Fourth Division was at the border in al-Qussayr, but it has completely disappeared,” expressing fears that they might have come to Lebanon,” adding, “Do we know where they are?”
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