Lebanon ‘detains’ former al-Assad-era general, weighs handing him to Syria

Lebanese authorities have detained a former Syrian army general, Major-General Adel Issa, in Beirut. Issa, who served under the former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, was arrested on Friday after visiting the Syrian embassy for paperwork. Embassy staff identified him as wanted in Syria, leading to his apprehension by Lebanese investigators. Issa reportedly admitted to entering Lebanon illegally after al-Assad's government collapsed. Lebanese officials are now considering whether to extradite him to Syria to face accusations related to his military service. This potential transfer would be the first of its kind since the Syrian government's collapse in December 2024. Lebanon's public prosecutor is awaiting formal charges and an extradition file from Damascus before making a decision.

Lebanese authorities have detained Major General Adel Issa, a former senior Syrian military officer who commanded an army division under ousted President Bashar Assad. Issa was arrested in Beirut after visiting the Syrian embassy for paperwork, at which point embassy officials alerted Lebanese prosecutors that he was wanted in Syria for alleged crimes. If handed over to Damascus, it would be the first time Beirut has returned an Assad-era official. Issa claims he entered Lebanon illegally after Assad's fall and denies the accusations. Lebanese judicial authorities will await Syria's charge sheet on Monday before deciding on his handover next week.