Meanwhile, Lebanese authorities handed over dozens of Syrian nationals, including former officers in the army, to the new administration in Damascus after they were caught illegally entering Lebanon.

Tensions are high on Syria’s border with Lebanon. The ouster of President Bashar al-Assad led to worry that violence could spill over into neighboring countries.

The returnees were detained by Syria's new ruling authorities after crossing the border. Read more at straitstimes.com.

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s interior minister on Friday told AFP that Beirut was working to find a solution with Syria, after two security officials said Damascus had imposed new restrictions on the entry of Lebanese citizens. “Work is underway to resolve the issue of Lebanese citizens being prevented from entering Syria,” Bassam Mawlawi told AFP.

A Lebanese security source said Saturday that Bashar al-Assad's uncle, Rifaat al-Assad, left the country via Beirut airport around a week ago, after rebels overthrew his nephew. The source said Rifaat al-Assad departed Lebanon around a week ago and "used a diplomatic passport", without naming his destination.

Lebanese officials say the wife and daughter of one of deposed Syrian president Bashar Assad’s cousins have been arrested at the Beirut airport

BEIRUT: Lebanon expelled around 70 Syrian officers and soldiers on Saturday, returning them to Syria after they crossed into the country illegally via informal routes, a Lebanese security official and a war monitor said.

A Lebanese security official and war monitor said the country on Saturday expelled no fewer than 70 Syrian officers and soldiers, returning them to Syria

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 70 Syrians, including former army officers, were handed over by a Lebanese security delegation to the security forces of the new Syrian government.

BEIRUT - Lebanon said on Thursday it was looking forward to having the best neighbourly relations with Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad opened the way to a new era in the often turbulent relations between the two neighbours.

BEIRUT: Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib expressed his hope Thursday for close ties with Syria's new rulers after a phone call with his Syrian coun

Turkey has offered to provide electricity to Syria and is exploring opportunities to cooperate in the country's oil and gas sector following the regime change.