Iraqi athletes denied entry to Lebanon

The 97-member Iraqi athletic team was halted at the Lebanese-Syrian crossing point of Masnaa yesterday and will not be granted visas to take part in the eighth Pan-Arab games which opened Saturday, an official said.

Three buses, bearing posters of President Saddam Hussien and signs reading "The Iraqi National Team," were parked outside border offices in Masnaa.

A Lebanese general security border official told reporters no visas would be issued to the delegation.