Syria’s Embassy in Lebanon Suspends Services After 70 Officers Handed Over, Following December 28 Passport Forgery Allegations

Dec 29, 2024, 07:18 AM

Syria’s embassy in Lebanon has suspended consular services following the arrest of two relatives of deposed President Bashar Assad at Beirut airport for allegedly attempting to use forged passports. The suspension occurred on Saturday, December 28, 2024, a day after the arrests, and coincides with a broader investigation by Lebanese authorities into the embassy's activities. Reports indicate that the Lebanese military has handed over 70 officers from the regime of the ousted Assad to Syrian authorities, further complicating the diplomatic situation. The embassy's decision to halt services is a direct response to the allegations surrounding the issuance of fake passports to members of Assad's family.