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Lebanese army arrests 144 syrians for illegal entry into Lebanon

14:18
Lebanese army arrests 144 syrians for illegal entry into Lebanon
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 The Lebanese Army has arrested 144 Syrians who entered Lebanon illegally, following a series of raids in the regions of Falougha (Baabda), Bekaata, and Semkaniyé (Chouf), as reported in a statement released by the army on Tuesday. Additionally, a Lebanese national, N.M., was detained for obstructing the army’s operations, though further details were not provided.

The Lebanese military also conducted a search operation in the Semaan Gallery area of Baabda, where they apprehended a man wanted for weapon trafficking, gunfire, threats, and extortion. A revolver and ammunition were confiscated. In Kfar Remmane (Nabatiyé), three individuals were arrested for firing weapons and engaging in brawls, and several weapons and rounds of ammunition were seized. Moreover, another suspect was arrested after a car chase in Ras Osta (Jbeil) for driving a stolen vehicle.

The arrested individuals have been handed over to the competent authorities.

This series of arrests coincides with the commencement of an UN-backed return program, which encourages the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland. Under the initiative, refugees are being offered financial incentives for repatriation. This development comes shortly after the Syrian government, under new leadership following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December, declared that “all Syrian citizens are welcome back,” despite ongoing security concerns and the extensive destruction across many areas of the country. Nearly 11,000 Syrians have already registered for the return program this week, with the Lebanese government projecting a total of 200,000 to 400,000 returns by the end of the year.



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