Nawaf Salam met with Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss the past political killings under the expulsion of border security, refugees and Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.
On his first official visit to Syria, Lebanon Prime Minister Nawaf Salam held talks in Syrian President Ahmed Alshara and Damascus to reconcile relations between the two countries, which have been tense for decades.
Monday’s diplomatic shuttle marks the highest level of Lebanese delegation visiting Syria since Beirut took office in February, Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad was appointed by opposition forces.
Lebanese officials described it as “the key to modifying relationships between the two countries based on mutual respect,” as they were not permitted to give the AFP news agency anonymously an explanation to the media.
“Resetting bilateral relations”
“It’s definitely a big visit. Lebanese officials say this is an opportunity to correct the trajectory of relations between the two countries,” said Zeina Kordle, a correspondent from Damascus, who reported from Damascus at a very moment in Lebanon-Syria relations.
The two countries have long faced tense ties marked by “conflict, friction and tension,” Khodr noted.
“There was a time when Bashar al-Assad was in power. Syria was accused of interfering with Lebanon’s internal affairs, which determines its domestic policy in Lebanon,” she said.
Recent political changes in both countries have opened up new possibilities. “The new authorities are now in Damascus and there is also a new government in Lebanon… Al Assad is in power, and his allies in Lebanon are no longer the dominant players,” Khodr said, adding that this all led to a mutual desire to “reset bilateral relations.”
After the speech was over and the Lebanese delegation left Damascus, Salam posted to X. “My visit to Damascus today aims to open a new page of the history of relations between the two countries based on mutual respect, restoration of trust, good neighbors, protection of our sovereignty and mutual non-interference.
The Lebanese Prime Minister also said, “The discussion with President Ahmed al-Sharah focused on borders and cross-control, prevention of smuggling, and ultimately placing the land and sea borders at the boundaries.”
Tensed Relationships and Political Assassination
Lebanon and Syria’s relationship has been strained since the collapse of Al-Assad. Furthermore, both countries are regularly bombarded by Israel. In Lebanon’s case, it came despite a November ceasefire that ended a year-long war.
Monday’s talks focused on border security, including efforts to smuggle and demarcate the 330-km (205-mile) border.
Last month, the defense ministers of Lebanon and Syria signed a security agreement in Saudi Arabia after a fatal border conflict that left 10 people dead.
Beirut was also expected to promote a joint investigation into past political killings in Lebanon in relation to former Syrian leadership.
Along with a senior minister, Salam discusses the repatriation of Syrian refugees, and Lebanon estimates it hosts 1.5 million Syrians, while the UN has registered only 750,000 people.
Before departing from Syria, Salam said he would raise the issue of Lebanese detainees who disappeared in Syrian prisons under Al-Assad’s control.
The visit follows a December meeting between Alsharaa and former Lebanon Prime Minister Najib Mikati, the first encounter since the Syrian civil war in 2011. In December, Alshara pledged that Damascus would respect Lebanon’s sovereignty.
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