Lebanese authorities canceled today, Tuesday, May 20, the fees imposed yesterday on non-Lebanese travelers crossing the land borders.

Drivers working on the Damascus-Beirut route confirmed to Enab Baladi that the General Directorate of General Security in Lebanon abolished the decision to pay an amount estimated at around 12 US dollars or one million Lebanese pounds, after the decision sparked resentment and anger among travelers, while the decision issued by the head of the General Security for Rafic Hariri Airport regarding Syrian travelers remained in force.

Lebanese authorities had imposed new fees on non-Lebanese travelers crossing the land borders on Monday, May 19, and tightened entry procedures for Syrians coming from Rafic Hariri Airport.

Driver Munir Shahoud, who operates on the Damascus-Beirut line, explained to Enab Baladi that the fees are represented by a financial stamp that must be affixed to the entry form or passport before crossing. This was a requirement for all travelers across the land border.

The border is open from 6 AM to 4 PM, which is exhausting and difficult for drivers and travelers, according to Shahoud, who pointed out that “drivers pay an entry fee to Lebanon of one dollar, and the same amount upon exiting.”

Conditions for entering Rafic Hariri Airport

The head of General Security at Rafic Hariri Airport, Major General Jouni al-Saissah, issued a circular stating that no Syrian citizen traveling to Syria via Beirut Airport would be allowed to enter Lebanon unless they possess a valid residency abroad for more than six months.

Violators will be returned on the same flight they arrived on.

Decision by General Security at Rafic Hariri Airport in Lebanon – May 19, 2025 (Social Media)

Conditions for Lebanese citizens to enter Syria

In contrast, the General Authority for Land and Sea Crossings in Syria specified the conditions under which Lebanese citizens are allowed to enter the Syrian Arab Republic.

According to what the Authority mentioned on January 23, these conditions include holders of a valid Syrian residency, the spouse and minor children of the residency holder provided they are accompanying him, the husband of a Syrian citizen and her children, and the wife of a Syrian citizen (Palestinian Syrian).

It also includes relatives of a Lebanese woman who married a Syrian and later acquired citizenship.

The decision from the Syrian side came in response to similar Lebanese measures preventing non-compliant Syrians from entering Lebanon, the most notable of which is having a valid Lebanese residency, according to An-Nahar newspaper.