BEIRUT
Lebanese authorities on Monday began to demand that Syrians enter the country with an entry visa as the Arab country struggles with an influx of Syrian refugees.
"The imposition of entry visas for Syrians aims to distinguish between refugees and non-refugees," Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas told The Anadolu Agency.
He said the move aims to control the flow of refugees into the country.
Derbas said Syrians would be expected to fill out a form at the border giving their reasons for visiting Lebanon.
"Syrians will not be allowed into the country if they are seeking refuge," he said.
Around 1.2 million Syrians have sought refuge in Lebanon since civil war erupted in their country more than three years ago, according to the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).
Last July, Lebanon told the UNHCR that it would not be able to accommodate any more Syrian refugees as of September, pledging to only take in Syrians whose health conditions were critical.
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