In the aftermath of Bachar al-Assad's ousting, reports have surfaced suggesting that key figures of the collapsed Syrian regime and loyalists of Assad have entered Lebanon. For a country that suffered profoundly during Assad's rule, these developments are deeply concerning. Allegedly, some regime figures are staying in Lebanon’s luxury hotels without oversight or accountability, while others reportedly transited through the country to escape via Beirut’s Airport to undisclosed locations.

If these reports are confirmed, Lebanon may face international legal repercussions for facilitating the escape of individuals wanted for war crimes. 

Commenting on this issue, Kataeb MP Salim Sayegh told Sawt Beirut International that many prominent Syrian regime figures have indeed found temporary safe haven in Lebanon. He argued that those enabling this entry or failing to act against it rely on several legal and security justifications:

1. Hezbollah’s Security Network: Despite suffering significant blows and infrastructure damage in recent years, Hezbollah still possesses the capability to provide security and logistical support for these individuals.

2. Border Agreements with Syria: Existing agreements between Lebanon and Syria facilitate unrestricted cross-border movement. As a result, Lebanese authorities face challenges in monitoring or restricting entries, especially since these individuals arrive as ordinary citizens without claiming refugee status.

3. Lack of Arrest Warrants: There are few Lebanese or international warrants for the arrest of Syrian officials. Without such warrants, Lebanon lacks a legal basis to detain or deport them.

4. Absence of Intelligence: Lebanon has no comprehensive database on Syrian officials implicated in crimes, making enforcement inconsistent and prone to selective or arbitrary application.

5. Interpol Inaction: Interpol has not issued any official requests for Lebanon to arrest Syrian regime figures, further reducing the country’s obligation to intervene.

6. Diplomatic Neutrality: Under international law, Lebanon must continue dealing with Syria as a sovereign state, regardless of the political changes within its government. With no formal extradition requests from the new Syrian authorities or Interpol, Lebanon lacks clear legal grounds to act.

Despite the legal and logistical challenges, Dr. Sayegh argued that Lebanon could still take political action. He suggested that the government could declare these Syrian officials persona non grata if credible evidence shows their presence threatens national stability or violates Lebanon’s higher interests.

Sayegh called for the immediate formation of a crisis task force to:

• Request detailed information from the new Syrian government regarding these individuals.
• Assess the impact of their presence on Lebanon’s national security.
• Establish clear sovereign principles, including unilateral measures, to ensure that Lebanon does not become a refuge for authoritarian figures.

Sayegh emphasized that Lebanon has the sovereign right to declare that it is not a haven for members of oppressive regimes.

Echoing Kataeb leader Samy Gemayel’s position, Sayegh called for the suspension of all bilateral agreements between Lebanon and Syria, urging the government to take swift measures to protect Lebanon from the repercussions of this new influx.

Commending recent actions by Lebanese border authorities to curb the flow of Syrians into the country, he warned that illegal entries by land or sea must also be addressed with equal determination. He stressed that Lebanon’s suspension of border agreements must apply universally, without exceptions for rank or affiliation with the Syrian regime. This approach, he argued, is crucial for upholding the state’s sovereignty and avoiding selective enforcement.

Sayegh also pointed to a broader systemic issue: Lebanon’s failure to establish clear legal and administrative protocols to address such situations. The lack of coordination between governmental institutions and the absence of clear policy guidelines exacerbate the risk of Lebanon being viewed as complicit in aiding Syrian regime figures.