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.

Syria’s embassy in Lebanon has suspended consular services a day after two relatives of deposed Syrian President Bashar Assad were arrested at the Beirut airport with allegedly forged passports.

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 after they crossed into the country illegally via informal routes.