Syria claims Lebanon shelters (al-Qaeda) militants

Lebanon is becoming a shelter for al-Qaida-linked militants fleeing across the Syrian border after a crackdown by authorities there, Syrian President Bashar Assad said in an interview published Monday.

His comments were certain to stoke tensions between the two neighbors. Lebanese opponents of Syria, who dominate the government and parliament in Beirut, have ridiculed such Syrian claims and accuse Damascus of sending militants across the border to destabilize Lebanon.

"This has become a reality," Assad said of al-Qaida's presence in Lebanon.

Referring to Syria's own battle with Islamic militants, Assad said: "Some of the groups that we chase flee from Syria to Lebanon because it's closest and easiest, and the roads are mountainous."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060627/ap_on_re_mi_ea/syria_assad