A historic diplomatic engagement as nations explore resolutions for border disputes, the status of Syrian detainees, and the future of Syrian refugees.
Published On 10 Oct 2025
In a significant diplomatic development, Syria’s Foreign Minister engaged in high-level discussions with Lebanese officials in Beirut, marking a pivotal step toward mending relations strained by years of conflict and interference during the Assad family’s rule.
Asaad al-Shaibani, Syria’s Foreign Minister, emphasized that his visit-the first by a senior official from the new Syrian administration-signifies “a fresh Syrian stance toward Lebanon,” aiming to “surpass the challenges of the past,” a clear reference to the Assad regime‘s longstanding influence over Lebanese affairs.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji echoed this sentiment during a joint press briefing, highlighting that the two neighbors, who frequently dispute their 330-kilometer (205-mile) shared border, are now embarking on “a renewed course” of cooperation.
Central topics under discussion include border security, the fate of approximately 2,000 Syrian detainees held in Lebanese prisons, efforts to locate Lebanese citizens missing in Syria, and strategies to support the repatriation of Syrian refugees.
Lebanon has hosted over a million Syrians displaced by the 14-year civil war, although the United Nations reports that more than 294,000 refugees have returned to Syria this year alone.
Following his meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, al-Shaibani stated that the refugee situation would be addressed progressively. “We are currently formulating plans, with international assistance, to ensure the dignified and sustainable return of refugees,” he explained.
Regarding border tensions, the defense ministers of both countries signed a security agreement last March aimed at mitigating threats after violent clashes resulted in ten fatalities.
Mutual Sovereignty and Overcoming Distrust
Decades of suspicion and hostility have defined Syrian-Lebanese relations, rooted in Syria’s extensive military presence in Lebanon and its involvement in Lebanese politics.
The current Syrian government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa-who came to power after a swift rebel takeover last December-harbors deep grievances over Hezbollah’s support for the Assad regime during Syria’s civil war, which helped sustain the authoritarian government for years.
Conversely, many Lebanese citizens still resent Syria’s 29-year military occupation, during which Syrian forces were implicated in the assassination of numerous Lebanese political figures opposing Syrian dominance.
Syria’s influence in Lebanon began under former President Hafez al-Assad, who intervened in Lebanon’s 1975-1990 civil war. His son Bashar withdrew Syrian troops in 2005 following widespread protests sparked by the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, an act attributed to Assad’s regime and Hezbollah.
Efforts to rebuild trust have gained traction since al-Sharaa’s rise to power and Hezbollah’s substantial setbacks in its recent conflict with Israel, which severed a critical alliance and supply line for the group.
Accompanied by Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais, al-Shaibani reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty and expressed a desire to “move beyond previous barriers and enhance bilateral relations.”
In December, President al-Sharaa publicly declared Syria’s intention to refrain from interfering in Lebanese affairs and to honor its neighbor’s sovereignty.
