Lebanon bars Syrian refugees from returning home

The Lebanese security forces on Thursday prevented hundreds of illegal Syrian refugees from crossing the borders into Syria.
The General Security forces intercepted a convoy of hundreds of Syrian refugees coming from the town of Ersal and prevented them from crossing into their homeland, since they had entered Lebanon illegally, according to the National News Agency (NNA).
After the refugees were turned back, they spread across the Lebanese territory.
Only the displaced Syrians of a legal status can leave towards Syria, Director General of General Security Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim said in press statements. But "Those who entered illegally will have to adjust their situation and then leave," he clarified.
The Syrians left Ersal and wanted to return home after a truce stopped the fighting between the Lebanese army and militants in the border town, who withdrew earlier today.
Meanwhile, the Association of Muslim Scholars in Lebanon said negotiations continued with militants who left Ersal to a nearby town, on the fate of military and security hostages held captives by the insurgents.
An association member said that a delegation moved to continue negotiations with the militants, adding that all the captives were safe. The association team will not leave until the captives matter is settled, he stressed.
In the meantime, the Lebanese Army Intelligence units arrested a group of people who were planning to launch terrorist attacks in the town of Al-Leboa, next to Ersal, northeast of the country, the agency said.
The army also carried out an operation in the town of Koura, inside the residential areas of Syrian refugee's suspects, where he confiscated motorcycles and arrested two Syrians for violating the residency law.