Syria and Lebanon concluded a landmark round of talks Friday, October 10, aimed at restoring political and diplomatic relations between the two neighbors, marking the first official visit by a Syrian minister since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime late last year.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani led the delegation to Beirut, joined by Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais and senior officials from the ministries of Interior and Intelligence. The visit comes amid efforts by Damascus to rebuild its regional standing and resolve longstanding disputes with Lebanon.
Shaibani met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Foreign Minister Yusuf Raji. The agenda included discussions on border demarcation, energy cooperation, the return of Syrian refugees, and the sensitive issue of Syrian detainees held in Lebanese prisons.
“This is a historic and very important visit for both parties,” Shaibani said at Baabda Palace, the Lebanese presidential residence. “Syria is entering a stage of recovery and reconstruction, and this must be reflected positively on Lebanon and on the brotherly relations between our countries.”
Progress on Detainee and Refugee Issues
Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais emphasized that the plight of Syrian detainees in Lebanon topped the delegation’s agenda. Speaking to the Syrian media, Wais said, “We agreed to hold meetings soon to end the detainees’ suffering and restore joy to their families.”
Shaibani later announced “very significant progress” in negotiations over Syrian detainees at Roumieh prison, one of Lebanon’s largest correctional facilities. He said that tangible results are expected in the coming weeks.
Both governments also reaffirmed their commitment to facilitating the safe and voluntary return of Syrian refugees, with Wais stressing the need to rebuild infrastructure and restore essential services to support resettlement.
Reassessing the Framework of Relations
The meetings also addressed the future of the Syrian-Lebanese Supreme Council, a body created in 1991 to manage bilateral relations under the former Assads’ regime. Shaibani confirmed that Damascus had been officially informed of the council’s suspension, signaling a shift toward more conventional diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Raji said the two sides agreed to establish joint committees to follow up on outstanding issues, describing the talks as “constructive and forward-looking.” President Aoun echoed that sentiment, noting improvements along the border and welcoming Syria’s commitment to normalize relations.
“The road is long, but when the intentions are clear, the interests of Syria and Lebanon must come before all other considerations,” Aoun said. He added that Beirut awaits the appointment of a new Syrian ambassador to accelerate bilateral coordination.
“Long Road” Ahead
Friday’s meetings were part of continuing efforts by Syria’s new administration, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, to stabilize ties with neighboring states following the regime change in December 2024. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the talks as “positive and constructive,” adding that Lebanon seeks “balanced relations with Syria based on mutual respect and cooperation between two sovereign states.”
For both countries, the visit marked a symbolic reset—an effort to turn the page on decades of mistrust and security-driven politics. Whether these steps lead to deeper reconciliation or remain diplomatic gestures will depend on the follow-through of the joint committees now charged with charting a new phase in Syrian-Lebanese relations.
