Syrian embassy in Lebanon stops working due to Lebanon transferring former Syrian army officers.

In a series of recent events, the Syrian Embassy in Lebanon has announced the suspension of all consular services until further notice. This decision came after two relatives of former Syrian President Bashar Assad were arrested at the Beirut airport for allegedly carrying forged passports. The embassy did not provide a reason for the suspension but reports suggest it may be due to the believed involvement of the embassy in the passport forgery.

According to Lebanese officials, the two arrested were the wife and daughter of one of Assad's cousins. However, Assad's uncle, Rifaat Assad, who has been indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Switzerland, was able to leave the day before on his real passport without any issues.

In a separate incident, Lebanese authorities have handed over around 70 Syrians to the new Syrian government, led by the former insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This group, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has been successful in calming fears of retribution against those who supported Assad's rule or imposing strict Islamic law on religious minorities. However, there have been sporadic clashes with pro-Assad armed groups and concerns about the group's control over the country's security forces.

As the new Syrian government establishes ties with other regional countries, delegations from Libya and Bahrain have arrived in Damascus for official visits. However, there are ongoing tensions and clashes in northeastern Syria between Kurdish-led forces and armed groups backed by Turkey. Many Kurds fear that the new leadership in Damascus, which has strengthened Turkey's hand in Syria, will not protect their rights.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss the latest developments in Syria. The U.S. has emphasized the need for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that prioritizes human rights and inclusivity. In the new Syria, many are concerned about the role of women and their rights. In a recent demonstration in the city of Hasaka, Kurdish women's groups demanded that women be included in the new constitution and have a say in the new government. They fear that the new leaders, who are believed to be Islamist extremists, will not allow women to hold political positions or have a voice in decision-making. The role of women in the new Syria remains uncertain, but many are calling for their rights to be protected and their voices to be heard.

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