BEIRUT – A Syrian official and witnesses say Damascus is planting landmines along parts of the border with Lebanon.
The official familiar with government strategy said Tuesday the mines are meant to prevent arms smuggling across the border as President Bashar Assad faces a 7-month-old uprising. He asked that his name not be used because of the sensitivity of the matter. Witnesses also told The Associated Press they have seen Syrian soldiers planting the mines in recent days.
Many Syrians cross the border into Lebanon regularly, some of them to flee the violence in their country. There also are signs that Syria is working to prevent Lebanon from becoming a safe haven for the Syrian opposition.
