BEIRUT — Early 2015 was the first time in the history of Lebanese-Syrian relations that Lebanon has required Syrians to obtain a visa to enter or pass through the country. Since Lebanese and Syrian independence in 1943 and 1946, respectively, their citizens had been able to travel relatively freely across their shared border.
A personal ID was enough for Syrians to enter Lebanon and reside and work there without restrictions or personal administrative or financial charges or fees to be paid by their employers. Even work permits were not required. Now, however, all Syrians must fill out paperwork explaining their reason for entering the country and provide other documents. Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, head of the General Security Directorate (GSD), linked the change to the number of Syrians refugees in Lebanon having reached 1.6 million.
