BEIRUT: President Michel Sleiman confirmed that the Syrian army has planted mines along its border with Lebanon, Wednesday’s Al-Liwaa reported, adding that the neighboring country has apologized for repeated border violations.

In an interview with the daily paper, Sleiman said “high level talks took place [between the two countries] and Syria expressed regret for the unintended violations... noting that Syrians fulfilled their promises to respect Lebanon’s independence and sovereignty and planted mines along the border to prevent infiltration and smuggling.”

He said Syria had vowed not to repeat such violations.

Local officials have said that the Syrian army has planted mines along its border with Lebanon in a bid to prevent arms smuggling and Syrian dissidents from crossing into their neighboring country. There has not been an official confirmation from the government regarding the anti-personnel mines, but one Syrian man has reportedly been wounded inside Syria as a result of the mines.

Following reports about the activity, activists with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines last week condemned the mining, describing it as an inappropriate activity in civilian populated areas.

Since the start of the anti-government uprising in Syria, the Lebanese and Syria armies have taken measures to control the poorly demarcated border between the two countries. The measures have contributed to the decline of the Syrian refugee influx into Lebanon.

The Syrian army has also crossed into Lebanon on several occasions in what Syria says is part of its hunt for dissidents. Many lawmakers have criticized the Lebanese government for not condemning the repeated incursions which have resulted in the death of one Lebanese man.