A Beirut newspaper reported over the weekend that Syria has mobilized some 3,000 troops and heavy equipment near its border with eastern Lebanon. The troop movement is being carried out under the banner of a bid to stop illegal smuggling and cross-border criminal movement, but analysts view it as a signal from Syria that it intends to return Lebanon to its sphere of influence. The analysts add that Syria also may be reacting to the increasing threat posed by Lebanon-based jihad groups such as Al-Qaeada. 11/03/08