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Iraq Seizes Shipment of Illegal Drugs to Treat COVID-19 Patients

A lab technician holds the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatment drug "Remdesivir" - REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh/File Photo
A lab technician holds the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatment drug "Remdesivir" - REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh/File Photo
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Iraq Seizes Shipment of Illegal Drugs to Treat COVID-19 Patients

A lab technician holds the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatment drug "Remdesivir" - REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh/File Photo
A lab technician holds the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatment drug "Remdesivir" - REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh/File Photo

The Federal Commission of Integrity announced Wednesday that it has thwarted an attempt to enter an illegal shipment of medicines to treat coronavirus patients at Basra International Airport.

The Commission’s Investigation Department said in a statement reported by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that “the cadres of the Basra Investigation Department managed to seize a shipment of medicines belonging to a private company at the city's international airport.”

“The medicines that were seized and intended to treat coronavirus patients are type (Remidsiver) Bangladeshi origin consisting of seven boxes containing approximately 2500 ampule,” the statement read.

The Department further added that the drugs seized have no certificate of origin or import license. They haven’t obtained the approval of the Ministry of Health either.

“There are attempts and pressures to smuggle them and bring them into the country without organizing a customs transaction,” the statement added.

It clarified that a report was presented to the judge of the Investigation Court specialized in integrity issues in Basra to take appropriate legal measures in this regard.

Iraq's Ministry of Health on Wednesday reported 4,718 new COVID-19 cases, raising the nationwide caseload to 1,181,698.

The ministry also confirmed 26 new deaths, bringing the death toll to 16,267, while the total number of recoveries in Iraq reached 1,094,140.

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Syria Puts Entry Restrictions On Lebanese After Border Clash

Cars line up to enter Lebanon after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad near the Lebanese-Syrian border (Reuters)
Cars line up to enter Lebanon after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad near the Lebanese-Syrian border (Reuters)
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Syria Puts Entry Restrictions On Lebanese After Border Clash

Cars line up to enter Lebanon after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad near the Lebanese-Syrian border (Reuters)
Cars line up to enter Lebanon after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad near the Lebanese-Syrian border (Reuters)

Syria has imposed new restrictions on the entry of Lebanese citizens, two security sources from Lebanon told AFP on Friday, following what the Lebanese army said was a border skirmish with armed Syrians.

The developments appeared to be the first instance of diplomatic friction between the two neighbours since opposition factions topped longtime Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad last month.

Lebanese nationals had previously been allowed into Syria without a visa, using just their passport or ID.

But a Lebanese General Security official told AFP Friday that they were "surprised to see the border had been closed" to Lebanese citizens "from the Syrian side".

The official, who like other sources spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, said that no new border measures had been communicated to them yet.

A security source at Masnaa, the main land border crossing between the two countries, said Syrian authorities had implemented "new procedures" since last night, only allowing in Lebanese with residency permits or official permission.

The Lebanese army said in a statement on X that its soldiers and Syrians had clashed at the border as the armed forces tried to "close an illegal crossing".

"Syrians attempted to open the crossing using a bulldozer, so army personnel fired warning shots into the air. The Syrians opened fire on army personnel, injuring one of them and provoking a clash".

"Army units deployed in the sector have taken strict military measures," the statement added.

Earlier, a Lebanese military official had said Syria's move followed "skirmishes between the Lebanese army and Syrian armed men at the border" who were briefly detained by the army.