Syria FM visits Lebanon to reset ties as Higher Council suspended

Syria's foreign minister arrived in Lebanon's capital on Friday to discuss pressing issues between the two nations and as part of efforts to open a new chapter in relations.

Lebanese media depicted the visit as a breakthrough in relations between the two neighbours, which had tense relations for over a decade.

Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani held talks with his Lebanese counterpart, Youssef Rajji, and met President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. It was the first high-profile Syrian visit to Lebanon since Islamist-led rebels overthrew longtime ruler Bashar Assad’s regime in early December 2024.

Lebanon and Syria have been working to rebuild strained ties, focusing on the status of roughly 2,000 Syrian detainees in Lebanese prisons - a third of the total prison population - border security and demarcation, locating Lebanese nationals missing in Syria for years, and facilitating the return of Syrian refugees.

The current Syrian leadership resents Hezbollah for taking part in Syria's civil war, fighting alongside Assad's forces against Islamist militants.

In Lebanon, many still remember Syria's 29-year domination of its smaller neighbour, where it had a military presence for three decades until 2005. The Assad regime was accused of assassinating numerous officials in Lebanon who expressed opposition to its rule.

Lebanese-Syrian Higher Council suspended

Following their meeting, Shaibani and Rajji announced at a news conference that the Lebanese-Syrian Higher Council has been suspended and all dealings will be restricted to official diplomatic channels.

Created in May 1991, and shortly after the end of Lebanon's 15-year civil war which Syria played a major role, the council symbolised Syria's hegemony over Lebanon.

Its role declined after the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Syria’s withdrawal months later, and the 2008 opening of the Syrian embassy in Beirut, which marked Syria’s first official recognition of Lebanon as an autonomous state since it gained independence from France in 1943. Syria gained independence in 1946.

In recent years, the council was largely inactive, with only limited contact between officials. Lebanese political parties that opposed Assad had long called for the council to be dissolved, arguing that its presence was redundant with embassies in Beirut and Damascus.

'Mutual respect'

Shaibani’s delegation on Friday included Syria's justice minister, Mazhar al-Louais al-Wais; the head of Syrian intelligence, Hussein al-Salama; and the assistant interior minister, Maj. Gen. Abdel Qader Tahan, according to the Lebanese state-run National News Agency.

In early September, a Syrian delegation, which included two former Cabinet ministers and the head of Syria’s National Commission for Missing Persons, visited Beirut. Lebanon and Syria also agreed at the time to establish two committees to address outstanding key issues.

During the press conference, Shaibani reiterated Syria’s "respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty," saying Damascus seeks to "move past previous obstacles and strengthen bilateral ties."

"My visit to Beirut is meant to reaffirm the depth of Syrian-Lebanese relations," he said, adding that "both sides were victims" in the previous era.

For his part, Rajji said there was "a commitment from both the Syrian and Lebanese sides, and a respect for the Lebanese state without interference in its internal affairs - and this is a positive path".

He added that he had "agreed with Shaibani to establish committees to address all outstanding issues," noting that "relations have now become direct between the states of Lebanon and Syria through diplomatic channels".

After meeting with Shaibani at the Baabda Presidential Palace, Aoun said Syria’s decision to suspend the Higher Council necessitates the strengthening of diplomatic relations.

"In this context, we await the appointment of a new Syrian ambassador to Lebanon to follow up on all matters through the Lebanese and Syrian embassies in Beirut and Damascus," said Aoun, according to a statement shared by the Presidency on X.

"We have a long road ahead, and when intentions are sincere, the shared interests of our two brotherly nations rise above all other considerations. We have no choice but to agree on what guarantees those interests," he added.

Shaibani said he expected all issues hindering the full normalisation of ties between Lebanon and Syria would be resolved "in a way that benefits both peoples".

"There are matters that may be of greater concern to the Syrian side, and others that may be more important to Lebanon - we placed all these issues on the table for discussion, and we want to move beyond the past."

Hundreds of Syrian prisoners, accused of "terrorism" or related offences including attacks on Lebanese forces, have been brought before Lebanon's military courts. Others are held for alleged membership in jihadist or armed groups that were opposed to Assad, while some are still awaiting trial.

Beirut has said that all those involved in attacks on Lebanese security forces will not be released, but has vowed to speed up the trials of detainees who have remained behind bars for years.

Shaibani and his delegation also discussed Syrian refugees in Lebanon - estimated between 1.5 and 2 million - and border demarcation with their Lebanese counterparts.

He said "there are plans that we are discussing now, with international support, for the dignified and stable return" of refugees, noting the issue would be resolved gradually.

The foreign minister expressed gratitude to Lebanon for hosting Syrians during the war, despite the difficult economic conditions the country is facing.

In March 2025, the two countries signed an agreement to demarcate the 375-kilometre border and enhance security coordination, aiming to prevent disputes and curb smuggling and other illicit activities. Saudi Arabia is sponsoring the border delineation talks, and the deal was signed in Jeddah.

Since the fall of Assad, two Lebanese prime ministers have visited Syria. Aoun and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa also held talks on the sidelines of an Arab summit in Egypt in March. No visits are currently scheduled between the heads of state of the two countries.

(The New Arab, Agencies)