Caretaker Minister of Interior Bassam Mawlawi stated on Wednesday that the former head of Syrian intelligence Ali Mamluk is not currently in Lebanon and has not entered the country.
"If he were to enter Lebanon, he would be arrested," Mawlawi said during an interview with local TV channel MTV. "His photos have been circulated at Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport in case he attempts to pass through with forged documents," he added.
Furthermore, Mr. Maoulaoui clarified that "the wife of Maher el-Assad (brother of Bashar) and his son have entered Lebanon and left the country via the airport," noting that "any individual not wanted by the law, who enters Lebanon legally, is allowed to exit."
In a related development, sources cited by MTV reported that a directive was issued recently by the acting Director General of General Security, Major General Elias Baissari. The procedure mandates that any Syrian who illegally entered Lebanon and tries to transit through the airport must undergo an investigation to confirm identity and verify if they are wanted by the authorities before being allowed to board their flight.
In this context, the General Directorate of General Security issued a statement on Thursday addressed to Syrian nationals wanting to leave Lebanon via the airport. It invites Syrians "whose situation requires prior regularization before departure to appear at the Regularizations Division at least 24 hours before their departure to regularize their status," if their flight is scheduled "between midnight and 8 AM."
"For additional information or to review details, please visit the official website of General Security or contact the call center at 1717," the statement concludes.
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