Lebanon’s foreign ministry criticizes visit by US anti-terrorism team to border with Syria

US tour near Syrian border criticized in Lebanon

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s foreign ministry and the militant Hezbollah group have criticized a visit by a U.S. security team to the Lebanese-Syrian border.

The American Embassy says Wednesday’s visit was planned months ago and took place in coordination with authorities here.

The visit comes days after Israel accused Syria of providing Hezbollah with Scud missiles. Syria has denied the allegations, as has Lebanon’s Western-backed prime minister.

Earlier this month, the State Department summoned the senior Syrian diplomat in Washington to accuse his government of “provocative behavior” in supplying arms to Hezbollah.

Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday it was not informed in advance about the visit by the U.S. team to al-Masnaa border crossing.