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Syrian envoy to Lebanon denies need of entry visas

Xinhua, January 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali denied on Thursday that Syrians are now required to obtain visas to enter Lebanon.

Ali also called for "coordination" between the two countries regarding border measures after his meeting with Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri.

Lebanon began on Monday imposing entry restrictions on Syrians, including those fleeing their country's civil war.

But Ali quoted Berri as saying that the issue is merely a process to organize the entry of Syrians.

The Syrian Ambassador added that his country has always stressed the need for understanding and coordination.

Earlier, social affairs minister Rashid Derbas said the measures do not apply to the Syrian refugees.

He also said the procedures are limited to filling in a card that demands the purpose of visit by any Syrian, which is not a visa restriction.

In an article published in Assafir daily on Thursday, Derbas said the measures do not involve Syrians with refugee cards and are registered with the UN Higher Commission for Refugees.

He further denied that the new entry measures are racist.

The entry restrictions come as Lebanon struggles to deal with more than 1.2 million Syrian refugees.

Ali has said his country understood the new rules, but urged "coordination" with Damascus. Endit