Report: No New Entry Controls on Syrians at Masnaa Crossing Yet

The General Security center at al-Masnaa border crossing in the east didn't implement new strict entry controls on Syrians fleeing the turmoil in the neighboring country, reports said on Saturday.

A source at the General Security told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) that the Syrians “wishing to enter Lebanon have to specify their place of residence or work in Lebanon as known in normal circumstances.”

“The facilitation granted in the recent period was for humanitarian causes and due to the difficult situation in the neighboring country,” the source said.

However, caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel revealed in comments to Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) that the General Security center along the Lebanese Syrian border began implementing strict entry controls on those who are crossing into the country.

He expressed fear that most Syrian refugees might not return to their country after the conflict in Syria ends.

Charbel warned that the soaring numbers of Syrian refugees in Lebanon will “dangerously” impact the security and economic situations in the country.

Meanwhile, al-Masnaa border crossing witnessed on Saturday bumper-to-bumper traffic caused by the large amount of Syrian workers departing Lebanon to spend Fitr holiday with their families in the neighboring country.

The source said that the large number of crowds is also recorded every other weekend due to the soaring numbers of people crossing back and forth.

“Around 15,000 to 20,000 people daily cross the border,” the source said.

The Lebanese government recently announced the implementation of strict entry controls on Syrians fleeing the turmoil in the neighboring country in an attempt to confront refugees influx.

Officials argue that the measures aim at preventing “terrorist” and anti-Lebanese army groups from entering the country.

The UNHCR said that over 13,000 Syrians registered this past week, bringing the total official number in the country to over 665,000.

Charbel previously said that the measures aim at organizing the refugees legal permits.

The residency permits will have a timeframe of six months, Charbel noted.

The Lebanese state argues that the Syrians the right to work to feed themselves on building sites or other sectors but not in trade or in businesses that require a permit.

Many Syrian refugees are forced to sleep rough on the streets because they can not afford to rent somewhere to live.

But the presence of a large number of Syrians alongside a population of just four million has sparked mounting friction.

A recent opinion poll found that 54 percent of respondents believed Lebanon should close its doors to the refugees. A full 82 percent said that the refugees were stealing jobs from Lebanese.