Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited Damascus on Monday for a top-level meeting with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in a major move to restore strained relations between the two neighboring countries. During the visit, Salam invited Sharaa and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani to Beirut.
First High-Level Visit Since Government Change
This is the first official Syrian visit by top Lebanese officials following the establishment of a new government in Lebanon in February. The visit occurs two months after an Islamist-bloc-led coalition ousted Syria’s long-standing leader, Bashar al-Assad.
In a press release by the prime minister’s office, Salam underlined that the visit was to “turn a new page in the trajectory of relations between the two countries based on mutual respect, restoration of trust. maintenance of our countries’ sovereignty and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.”
Focus on Border Security and Cooperation
Negotiations between the Syrian and Lebanese delegations centered on major issues, such as taking control of border crossings, stopping smuggling, and demarcating land and sea borders. These negotiations came after a recent Saudi Arabia agreement between the two nations’ defense ministers to improve border security following fatal clashes along the border.
Syria and Lebanon have a 330-kilometre permeable border that is frequently used to smuggle commodities, arms, and human beings. Both parties stressed deepening bilateral security coordination to preserve regional stability.
Joint Committee Setup
To follow up on mutual issues, the two parties agreed to set up a joint committee of the foreign, defense, interior, and justice ministries. The committee will endeavor to enhance cross-border cooperation and legal issues between the two nations.
Refugee Return and Coordination of Judiciary Discussed
The Lebanese delegation also brought up the matter of making it easier for Syrian refugees to return “safely and in dignity” with coordination from the United Nations and international actors. Lebanon asserts that it hosts between 1.5 million Syrian refugees, despite the UN registering about 750,000.
In addition, the talks addressed Lebanese citizens arrested in Syrian jails under the Assad regime and Syrians arrested in Lebanon for whose release Damascus has called. The Lebanese authorities asked Syria to cooperate in judicial affairs and extradite wanted persons.
Historical Context and Regional Dynamics
Syria retained dominance over Lebanon even after Hafez al-Assad intervened in the 1975-1990 Lebanese Civil War. Syrian forces withdrew only in 2005 following massive protests after the assassination of ex-Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.
Salam’s visit follows that of ex-Lebanon PM Najib Mikati, who also met Sharaa in January, a thaw in diplomatic interactions following Syria’s long-running civil war.
In December, acting Syrian President Sharaa vowed not to interfere in Lebanese affairs and promised to respect the sovereignty of its western neighbor.
