The fall of the Syrian regime and loss of Iranian influence opens the door for the Lebanese to finally take their fate in their own hands.

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

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.

Assad’s fall from power in Syria will reverberate for years across the Middle East, but one great fact is already clear. The Obama era in Middle Eastern history has, thankfully, come to an end.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Iran poured billions of dollars and sent thousands of soldiers and militia fighters to support the regime of Bashar al-Assad in 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.

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.V