The new Syrian authorities, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have implemented additional restrictions on Lebanese citizens entering the country via land border crossings, according to media reports on Sunday.
Lebanese nationals who wish to enter Syria must now have a Syrian residency permit, a spouse or child of Syrian nationality, or hold written approval from the Syrian General Security, the Lebanese daily L'Orient-Le Jour reported citing a Lebanese security official.
The updated rules followed a meeting between Lebanese and Syrian security forces at the Jdeidet Yabous border checkpoint, located east of Lebanon, where the coordination of border crossings between the two countries was discussed, according to the report.
Lebanese security officials highlighted to their Syrian counterparts the lack of reciprocity in the rules governing Syrian entry into Lebanon, pointing out the presence of "three million Syrians living in Lebanon", according to a report by Lebanon's MTV channel.
Lebanese nationals had previously been allowed into Syria without a visa, using just their passport or ID.
On Friday, the border was "suddenly" closed to Lebanese citizens from the Syrian side, according to Lebanese media who relayed their surprise by the restrictions.
suggested stringent entry requirements, such as proof of hotel reservations and possession of $2,000 in cash, with violations resulting in financial penalties and a one-year entry ban.
Lebanon had imposed strict restrictions on Syrians entering the country after the civil war erupted more than a decade ago.
On Friday, the Lebanese army said its soldiers had clashed with armed Syrians at the border after the armed forces tried to "close an illegal crossing". It said five soldiers were wounded.
Lebanon's eastern border is porous and known for smuggling. It was unclear who the armed Syrians were.
"Syrians attempted to open the crossing using a bulldozer, so army personnel fired warning shots into the air. The Syrians opened fire on army personnel, injuring one of them and provoking a clash," the army said.
Last month, Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa told visiting Lebanese Druze leaders that his country would not negatively interfere in Lebanon and would respect its sovereignty.
For three decades, Syria was a dominant military and political force in Lebanon after intervening in its 1975-1990 civil war.
Syria eventually withdrew its troops in 2005 under international pressure after the assassination of Lebanese ex-prime minister Rafic Hariri but remained an important player in Lebanese politics.