Syria restricts entry for Lebanese citizens, security sources say
Syria has restricted entry for Lebanese citizens, two security sources from Lebanon said on Friday, after Lebanese soldiers and armed Syrians clashed over the closure of a border crossing.
Syria has imposed new restrictions on the entry of Lebanese citizens, two security sources from Lebanon told AFP on Friday, following what the Lebanese army said was a border skirmish with armed Syrians.
The developments appeared to be the first instance of diplomatic friction between the two neighbours -- who share a fraught history -- since Islamist-led rebels topped longtime Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad last month.
Lebanese nationals had previously been allowed into Syria without a visa, using just their passport or ID.
But a Lebanese General Security official told AFP Friday that they were "surprised to see the border had been closed" to Lebanese citizens "from the Syrian side".
The official, who like other sources spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, said that no new border measures had been communicated to them yet.
A security source at Masnaa, the main land border crossing between the two countries, said Syrian authorities had implemented "new procedures" since last night, only allowing in Lebanese with residency permits or official permission.
The Lebanese army said in a statement on X that its soldiers and Syrians had clashed at the border as the armed forces tried to "close an illegal crossing".
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