Lebanon seizes vehicle carrying dozens of people over illegal entry from Syria

By Naim Burjawi

BEIRUT (AA) – Lebanese security forces on Friday seized a vehicle carrying dozens of people who illegally crossed into the country from neighboring Syria.

In a statement, the Internal Security Forces said a “suspicious vehicle” was stopped in the central Mount Lebanon province while carrying 67 people, who were illegally trafficked from Syria.

A 40-day baby was among those held as they were heading to the capital Beirut, the statement added.

Bashar Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party regime which had been in power since 1963. The takeover came after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters captured key cities in a lightning offensive that lasted less than two weeks.

Many members of the former regime are believed to have fled Syria following the regime’s collapse over their involvement in a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests.

The new Syrian administration has vowed to hold accountable all those involved in crimes against civilians in Syria.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar