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Syrian Embassy in Lebanon Suspends Services After Assad Relatives Arrested; 70 Officers Handed to New Syrian Government

Dec 29, 2024, 02:35 AM

Syria's embassy in Lebanon has suspended consular services following the arrest of two relatives of deposed Syrian President Bashar Assad at Beirut airport on charges of using forged passports. The suspension came a day after the arrests, which involved the wife and daughter of one of Assad's cousins. Concurrently, Lebanese authorities handed over approximately 70 Syrian officers and soldiers, including former members of the Syrian army under Assad, to the new Syrian government's security forces. These individuals were apprehended after illegally entering Lebanon. The new Syrian administration, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has been conducting security operations targeting remnants of the Assad regime. The situation has led to regional tensions, with countries like Libya and Bahrain sending delegations to Damascus to establish ties with the new rulers.