Lebanese security sources said a squadron of Syrian Army soldiers
infiltrated Lebanon and opened fire on a Lebanese Army patrol. They said the
attack took place on Sept. 15 near the Lebanese-Syrian border outside the
Lebanese town of Mewanseh.
"A patrol belonging to the Syrian Arab Forces crossed around 200 meters
into the Lebanese territory at the Mewanseh point in the northern province,
and fired a number of machine gun salvos while pursuing fugitives across the
border," the Lebanese Army said.
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The Lebanese statement marked the first official report of Syrian Army
infiltration and shooting in Lebanon, Middle East Newsline reported. Diplomats said the security forces
loyal to Assad have been regularly operating in northern Lebanon.
The Army stressed that the Syrian shooting did not target Lebanese
forces. The statement said a Lebanese combat vehicle was damaged.
"The issue is being followed up in coordination between the Lebanese and
Syrian armies," the statement said.
Diplomats said Assad forces were seeking to capture defectors from the
Syrian Army and police. They said Damascus was also trying to stop
the flow of weapons from Lebanon to the Syrian opposition.