Lebanese minister confirms Shaaban’s legal exit

Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi has confirmed that Buthaina Shaaban, media advisor to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, legally entered Lebanon and departed from Beirut airport.

He added that authorities are pursuing other Syrian officials who allegedly entered Lebanon illegally.

According to Al Arabiya TV sources, recent high-level contacts between Lebanese political and security officials resulted in allowing Syrian families entry through the Masnaa border crossing between Syria and Lebanon.

The sources claim that Syrian officials and officers have sent their families to various Lebanese regions, with wealthy individuals reportedly renting apartments in Beirut and Hezbollah-affiliated areas.

The arrivals are said to be predominantly Christian and Shiite Syrians expressing concerns about their safety in Damascus and other regions.

Al Arabiya reports that Assad left Syria on December 8, the same day opposition factions claimed control over major cities from Aleppo to Hama and Homs, advancing towards Damascus.