Lebanese police traded gunfire with smugglers and Syria arrested Lebanese fishermen Sunday in new tensions on their borders, reflecting increasing acrimony between the two countries since Syria was forced to end its decades-long domination of its smaller neighbor.
In another surprise move, Damascus said it wants Lebanon to compensate the families of Syrian workers killed during a wave of anti-Syrian sentiment after the Feb. 14 assassination of Lebanese former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Syrian media reports have said up to 35 Syrians were killed in Lebanon following Hariri's death, but there has been no official Syrian or Lebanese confirmation of the number and Lebanese unofficial estimates put the number at much less.
The Lebanese and Syrian governments always touted their nations' brotherhood during the years of Syrian control. But the slaying of Hariri, which many Lebanese blamed on Syria, opened a wave of anger at Damascus. Syria was forced to withdraw its troops from Lebanon in April, and since then anti-Damascus politicians have gained control of parliament.
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa tried Sunday to try to calm the bitterness, meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad and the foreign minister in Damascus. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak also spoke with Assad by telephone.
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