Syria temporary closes border with Lebanon

Syria temporarily closed two border crossings with northern Lebanon on Sunday because of security concerns over clashes with militants in the Lebanese city of Tripoli, the Interior Ministry said. The closing of all border outlets at al-Arydha and al-Daboussyah in northern Syria were meant "to preserve the security of Syrian and Lebanese inhabitants," the Interior Ministry said in a statement carried by Syria's official news agency, Sana. Eleven Lebanese troops were killed as authorities battled Islamic militants in Tripoli and a nearby Palestinian refugee camp on Sunday.