Beirut - Syria will deploy more troops along its border with Lebanon in a move aimed at combating smuggling between the two countries, the Lebanese Army said Thursday.

Lebanese Army chief Jean Kahwaji and his Syrian counterpart Ali Habib discussed the deployment of Syrian Army units along the eastern border over the next few days, an Army statement said.

"This deployment comes in the framework of measures to stop smuggling and prevent the movement of people illegally across the borders," it said.

The Army did not say how many troops would be deployed.

The deployment of Syrian troops near the border with Lebanon has triggered fears among anti-Syrian Lebanese politicians that such a move is a prelude to the return of Damascus' hegemony on its smaller neighbour.

Syria was Lebanon's powerbroker until 2005 when the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri prompted an international outcry that forced it to end its 30-year military presence in the country. (dpa)