Reports that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa was preparing a series of diplomatic and economic measures against Lebanon in response to Beirut’s alleged neglect of the file of Syrian detainees were denied, al-Arabiya said, quoting a Syrian government source.
“There is no truth to the reports being circulated about the Syrian government's intention to take escalatory measures against Lebanon. The government affirms that the issue of Syrian detainees in Lebanese prisons is a priority and must be addressed as quickly as possible through official channels between the two countries,” the source told the Dubai-based Saudi TV.
Earlier Friday, sources told Syria TV, the Syrian leadership is weighing a “gradual escalation” strategy, beginning with the suspension of certain bilateral security and economic coordination mechanisms.
Damascus is also considering scaling back joint border security cooperation and may go as far as closing key border crossings and imposing restrictions on the movement of Lebanese trucks, the sources warned.
Concerns are growing in official Syrian circles over a potential full closure of land crossings with Lebanon in the coming days if the issue remains unaddressed.
To address the matter diplomatically, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani is expected to travel to Beirut within days, acting on direct orders from President al-Sharaa, the sources concluded.
Comments