Damascus presses Beirut to release Syrian prisoners amid warnings of border escalation
Security sources in Beirut said Lebanese officials had received messages via several diplomatic channels from Syrian authorities that pressed for the imminent release of the detainees. Hundreds of the prisoners are Islamists.
According to the sources, Lebanese officials were indirectly warned of possible consequences if the matter is not resolved, including the closure of the border and the suspension of work by their joint security committee.
'Syria is now seeking the return of an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 nationals in Lebanese prisons,' said one of the sources. 'While some of the prisoners have not yet been sentenced, others have been convicted of serious charges, including involvement in terror-related activities.
'Beirut is not opposed to releasing the detainees, including the Islamists, but insists the process will take time due to legal and logistical constraints,' the source added.
In recent days, groups have gathered along the Syria-Lebanon border to protest over what they called Lebanon's 'unjust detention' of Syrians.
Any move to close the border would strain Lebanon's already fragile economy and disrupt trade and movement.
Adding to Beirut's concerns is the fear that Syria's demands may not stop with its own citizens.
Lebanese security sources say there is growing concern that Damascus, under the rule of Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, a group formerly affiliated with Al Qaeda, may eventually demand the release of Lebanese Islamist detainees.
Many of these individuals were arrested for cross-border operations during the Syrian conflict, attacks on the Lebanese army and ties to ISIS.
That possibility, officials warn, would pose a significant internal security challenge for Lebanon, already under pressure to quickly disarm Hezbollah, its most heavily armed military group.
Lebanon also fears attacks by extremist groups following a deadly church bombing in Syria in June.
Lebanon's General Security Directorate said in recent weeks it had arrested a 'terrorist' cell of mostly Syrians in Beirut that sought to carry out attacks in the Lebanese capital.
Lebanon and Syria have many issues, including the roughly 1.5 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The country, home to one of the world's biggest refugee populations, has sought a comprehensive resolution on refugee returns.
There is also the issue of border security and the smuggling of drugs, goods and arms.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
29 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Driver ordered to pay Dh51,450 after running red light, not paying traffic fines
A court in Abu Dhabi ordered a man to pay Dh51,450 to his former employer, after he ran a red light and failed to repay the traffic fines the company covered on his behalf. According to Abu Dhabi Labour Court documents, the company filed a lawsuit against the driver, demanding he repay the amount it had to cover due to his violation. The company also requested a 5% late payment fee from the date of the claim until full settlement, along with legal costs and lawyer fees. As reported by Al Khaleej local newspaper, the company argued that the driver, who was employed as a taxi driver with a total salary of Dh800, committed a traffic violation by running a red light. While the driver was fined Dh3,000, the company ended up paying Dh50,000 in penalties, plus Dh1,450 in transport-related fees. Despite multiple attempts, the former employee did not reimburse the company. The court reviewed the driver's salary report, work contract, and other documents in the case file. It confirmed that the driver was employed by the company under a fixed-term contract as a taxi driver. The company provided authorities with a proof that it paid Dh51,450. The court referred to Article 1 of the Evidence Law, which says that the plaintiff must prove their right, and the defendant has the right to refute it, with the burden of proof resting on the plaintiff. Since the company showed clear proof of payment, the court ruled in its favour and ordered the driver to pay back the full amount.
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
Mideast factors to watch on July 15
Here are some factors that may affect Middle East stock markets on Tuesday. Reuters has not verified the press reports and does not vouch for their accuracy. INTERNATIONAL/REGIONAL * GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian shares rise, dollar strengthens ahead of US earnings; JGB yields surge * Oil falls as Trump's 50-day deadline for Russia eases supply fears * PRECIOUS-Gold ticks higher with focus on US inflation data * MIDEAST STOCKS-Gulf stocks subdued as Trump steps up tariff threats * Israeli ultra-Orthodox party leaves government over conscription bill * OPEC projects 'very strong' third-quarter oil demand, followed by tight balance, RIA reports ISRAEL * Clerics accuse West Bank settlers of attacking Christian sites * Gazans' daily struggle for water after deadly strike * Israel's Bezeq to buy local telecoms firm for $160 million * Netanyahu aide faces indictment over Gaza leak SAUDI ARABIA * BRIEF-Mubadala Announces Significant Reinvestment In PCI Pharma Services * Rescued crew of Greek ship sunk by Houthis taken to Saudi Arabia UNITED ARAB EMIRATES * UAE lender ADCB reports 11% jump in second-quarter profit * Wizz Air pulls out of Abu Dhabi as instability wipes out hope of Middle East profits * BRIEF-Etihad H1 Passengers At 10.2 Million IRAQ * Two drones fall in Khurmala oilfield in Iraqi Kurdistan, counter-terrorism service says SUDAN * Sudanese RSF forces kill almost 300 in North Kordofan, activists say SYRIA * Attacks on Syrian security forces sent to quell sectarian clashes leave 18 dead as Israel strikes targets to protect Druze IRAN * Iranian lawmaker says Strait of Hormuz still under review, no decision yet to close it * Blast caused by gas leak injures 7 in Iranian city of Qom * Iran says it will respond to reimposition of UN sanctions LIBYA * More than 100 migrants freed in Libya after being held captive by gang, officials say (Compiled by Bangalore newsroom)
The National
4 hours ago
- The National
Towards a peaceful and stable Middle East
Throughout the Middle East, pundits and public alike are wondering how the changes that the region is witnessing may affect the fragile existing balance of power and whether they can open the door, finally, for an era of peaceful co-existence and prosperity. It is well established that the strategic weight of our region is not confined to politics or security. It also lies in its increasingly pivotal role in the global economy. Key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal, serve as vital arteries of global trade and energy supplies. At the same time, many Arab Gulf states are investing heavily in emerging industries such as renewable energy and advanced technologies. It is clear that bringing peace and stability to the Middle East is no longer a regional aspiration, but a global imperative intertwined with international prosperity. For the Arab League, a new strategic reality in the Middle East can only come about when a true vision for peace is implemented. The vision we have in mind is one based on the two-state solution: restoration of Palestinian rights for independence and dignity, followed by the implementation of the engagement of peace outlined in the Arab Peace Initiative, thus opening the door for an era of true peace and stability in the region. But regional security has been viewed differently by various parties in the region. For the Arabs, based on Arab Summit resolutions, the notion of regional security has always been based on five major pillars: a) An end to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the emergence of an independent contiguous Palestine, b) Respect of sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States, c) The establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region, d) Relentless combatting of terrorism and the preservation of nation-states, and e) Security guarantees for all and shared interests as applicable. From an Arab perspective, while all these elements are essential for reaching a viable and sustainable formula for regional security, we view this equation as a win-win for all parties. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about the perspective offered by other parties in our region, such as Israel. For years, and in particular after the '93 Oslo accords, the concept of regional security for Israel was based primarily on achieving military and security superiority while 'postponing indefinitely' any viable solution for the Palestinian question and without producing any real vision for achieving just and comprehensive peace. Since October 7, 2023, it appears that 'postponing indefinitely' a solution to the Palestinian question was replaced by 'eliminating' it altogether. Achieving a sustainable peace requires addressing broader geopolitical dynamics, particularly those involving Iran Driven by its extreme right-wing forces and its advancement in the past two decades, such a vision is a considerable impediment for peace and prosperity in the region. Enabling those forces to continue on such a path is nothing but a recipe for continued conflict and instability. Such a zero-sum equation with no room for a win-win formula is no salvation for our region and certainly meets no aspiration for peaceful co-existence in it. At the same time, achieving a sustainable peace requires addressing broader geopolitical dynamics, particularly those involving Iran. Over the past few years, several Arab countries have taken steps toward de-escalation and restoring dialogue with Tehran, aiming to establish a framework of mutual respect and non-interference. This approach must be preserved and reinforced, as it offers the potential to reduce tensions and prevent wider regional confrontation. For peace to take root, all regional actors must abandon policies of provocation and ideological dominance, and instead commit to principles of co-existence and balanced co-operation. I acknowledge that in my numerous encounters throughout the Arab World, and in particular after witnessing the horrors committed by Israel in Gaza through 21 months of genocidal war, I often reach the unhappy conclusion that many Arabs, in particular the youth, have ceased to believe that peace will be the order of the day in our region in the foreseeable future and that it is somehow condemned to perpetual instability and turmoil. The brief moments of peace of the 1990s seem like such distant memories. It's impossible to envisage any possibility of reliving them. All powerful players, in the region and outside it, should try and change such desperate views, if we are to seek a better and more prosperous future for the coming generations. To my understanding, a number of Arab countries who play a major role in the region have expressed readiness to engage in meaningful discussions on the matter. However, in the absence of an Israeli willingness to engage on a viable path for peace, it can be an exercise in futility. The hope remains that an active and motivated US president may intervene to tip the balance not only for the sake of morality and law, but also for shared interests and a win-for-all formula which addresses the concerns of all parties. It is still possible. Let us not waste the opportunity.
