A few days ago, a "security-coordination" meeting drew attention, bringing together a delegation from the Syrian Transitional Administration and officers from Lebanon’s General Security to discuss joint coordination efforts.

This "collaboration," deemed the inaugural session of such coordination meetings, focused on a specific issue: border control and the regulation of crossing points. What implications or insights can be drawn from this meeting?

According to "An-Nahar" newspaper, the meeting was held at the request of the Syrian side, as efforts to manage crossings or borders on the Syrian side continue to face some chaos or "instability" following the fall of the Assad regime and the subsequent disintegration of its apparatuses and authority.

A Lebanese security source revealed to An-Nahar that "the Syrian side requested, during the meeting, a one-week grace period to reorganize the crossings on its side, and to designate the entity responsible for security and regulating traffic, including entry and exit." For its part, the Lebanese side expressed full cooperation "to ensure proper border control."

Legalities and Reshuffles

According to additional information, the acting Director-General of General Security, Major General Elias Baisari, recently implemented new reshuffles involving several officers and security personnel stationed at the Masnaa border crossing.

A source noted: “These changes are not extraordinary, even though they align with evolving circumstances. They are part of routine adjustments carried out periodically throughout the year, prompted by promotions affecting certain officers or personnel. In this case, the reshuffles also aim to enhance staffing levels to address current developments and reinforce border control.”

There is no doubt that the situation on the Syrian side, marked by some instability following the regime’s collapse, necessitates stricter measures on the Lebanese side. The source explained that “during the recent meeting, the Syrian side acknowledged relying heavily on the legal framework established by the Lebanese side for any crossing regulations, pending the full stabilization of their border operations.”

Currently, "Syrian border control personnel" are handling necessary procedures to regulate the movement of travelers heading to Damascus. However, it is expected to take approximately a week before operations on the Syrian side are fully stabilized.

From this perspective, bolstering reinforcements on the Lebanese side has become an urgent necessity under the current circumstances. According to available information, the Syrian administration is determined to establish new regulations governing the movement of arrivals into its territory.

The source highlighted that “Lebanese General Security is demonstrating full cooperation within a clear framework of joint security coordination between the two countries, particularly along the border, to serve mutual interests and ensure the proper regulation of crossing points.” The source added that “Lebanon is awaiting the Syrian side to finalize its organizational frameworks,” a process expected to take about a week as requested by the Syrian authorities.

However, the key point remains Lebanon's insistence on adherence to the conditions and standards established by General Security weeks ago for regulating arrivals into Lebanon. These conditions remain unchanged, and all legal border crossings are in full compliance. This approach underscores Lebanon’s commitment to asserting its security authority and maintaining strict border controls to prevent any breaches or unauthorized "smuggling."