Syrian troops enter Lebanon, clash with rebels: residents

[MaineDem]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - Syrian troops advanced into north Lebanon on Tuesday, destroying farm building and clashing with Syrian rebels who had taken refuge there, residents said.

...

Another resident said that the soldiers, some travelling in armored personnel vehicles, fired rocket-propelled grenades and exchanged heavy machinegun fire with rebels.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/27/us-syria-idUSBRE8280G820120327

[Alamuti Lotus]

1. that is a remote and mountainous area

I spent a few days in al-Qaa some years ago at the end of a tour through the Biqa'a. Even then it was used heavily by smugglers (mostly diesel, at that time), more recently the area is a stronghold of criminal gangs using the area to smuggle foreign fighters and weapons into rebel areas of Homs.