Syrian President and Lebanese Prime Minister Discuss Security, Economic Cooperation
Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa met with visiting Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Damascus to discuss security, transportation, and energy cooperation.
DAMASCUS: Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa met with Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Damascus on Saturday, focusing on issues such as security, transport, and energy.
The meeting comes amid a rebuilding of ties between Beirut and Damascus following the December 2024 overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria, which had previously exerted significant control over Lebanese affairs through its dynastic rule and was accused of numerous political assassinations in Lebanon.
The Syrian presidency issued a statement noting that the two officials discussed "developing economic and trade cooperation ...
and bolstering security coordination in order to support stability and confront challenges," as well as addressing regional and international developments.
Additionally, they touched upon the need for stricter border controls between Syria and Lebanon to prevent smuggling activities.
Salam was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri and Lebanese ministers of energy, economy, and transport.
At the end of his visit, he expressed satisfaction with the "significant progress" made on joint issues and emphasized ongoing efforts to address the case of detained Syrians in Lebanon and uncover information about missing persons in both countries.
In March, as part of an agreement signed a month earlier, Lebanon transferred over 130 Syrian convicts back to Syria to complete their sentences there.
This move reflects the new Lebanese administration's efforts to address past grievances and rebuild relations with its neighboring country.
Lebanon has also been investigating political assassinations that occurred under the rule of the Assad family.
Furthermore, the porous 330-km border between Lebanon and Syria remains a focal point due to widespread smuggling activities.
The main border crossing was briefly closed last month amid Israeli threats to target it, as Israel accused Hezbollah of utilizing the crossing for military purposes and smuggling.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has been ongoing since March, with a ceasefire declared in recent weeks.
Syria's new authorities have taken a hostile stance against Hezbollah and have arrested alleged cells affiliated with the group in recent months.
Salam reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment not to allow its territory to be used against any of its Arab neighbors, including Syria.
The meeting comes amid a rebuilding of ties between Beirut and Damascus following the December 2024 overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria, which had previously exerted significant control over Lebanese affairs through its dynastic rule and was accused of numerous political assassinations in Lebanon.
The Syrian presidency issued a statement noting that the two officials discussed "developing economic and trade cooperation ...
and bolstering security coordination in order to support stability and confront challenges," as well as addressing regional and international developments.
Additionally, they touched upon the need for stricter border controls between Syria and Lebanon to prevent smuggling activities.
Salam was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri and Lebanese ministers of energy, economy, and transport.
At the end of his visit, he expressed satisfaction with the "significant progress" made on joint issues and emphasized ongoing efforts to address the case of detained Syrians in Lebanon and uncover information about missing persons in both countries.
In March, as part of an agreement signed a month earlier, Lebanon transferred over 130 Syrian convicts back to Syria to complete their sentences there.
This move reflects the new Lebanese administration's efforts to address past grievances and rebuild relations with its neighboring country.
Lebanon has also been investigating political assassinations that occurred under the rule of the Assad family.
Furthermore, the porous 330-km border between Lebanon and Syria remains a focal point due to widespread smuggling activities.
The main border crossing was briefly closed last month amid Israeli threats to target it, as Israel accused Hezbollah of utilizing the crossing for military purposes and smuggling.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has been ongoing since March, with a ceasefire declared in recent weeks.
Syria's new authorities have taken a hostile stance against Hezbollah and have arrested alleged cells affiliated with the group in recent months.
Salam reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment not to allow its territory to be used against any of its Arab neighbors, including Syria.
