Former Syrian Officials Seek Refuge in Lebanon Through Legal and Illegal Means

Former Syrian Officials Seek Refuge in Lebanon Through Legal and Illegal Means
Lebanon's Facilitation of Former Syrian Regime-Affiliated Families' Entry Reveals Humanitarian Position Toward Some Syrian Sects' Security Concerns
December 16, 2024, 10:36 pm

بثينة شعبان \ تعبيرية \ متداولة

Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi told "Al-Arabiya" Monday that Bashar al-Assad's former media advisor, Buthaina Shaaban, used legal methods entering and leaving Lebanon through Beirut airport.

Mawlawi added Lebanese authorities tracking other Syrian officials who infiltrated Lebanese territory irregularly.

Lebanese official sources yesterday revealed high-level contacts between Lebanese political and security officials, resulting in allowing Syrian families entry through Masnaa border crossing.

Most Syrian arrivals to Lebanon comprise Christians and Shiites, fearing attacks in their Damascus residences and other Syrian areas following regime collapse.

Special information obtained by "Al-Arabiya.net" reported former Syrian regime officials and officers, both Alawite and Sunni, moving families to various Lebanese areas, with wealthy ones renting apartments in Beirut and Hezbollah-affiliated areas.

These developments follow Assad's Syria departure December 8, coinciding with armed factions announcing his regime's fall, following HTS and allies' rapid advance, controlling major cities from Aleppo to Hama and Homs, reaching Damascus.

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