During his visit to Lebanon on Friday, October 10, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani discussed several key files, most notably the revitalization of relations between Syria and Lebanon, the bilateral agreements, land and maritime border demarcation, the gas pipeline, and the issue of detainees.
The minister announced progress in the case of Syrian detainees held in Lebanon’s Roumieh Prison after meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji, according to the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At Baabda Palace
From the Baabda Presidential Palace, al-Shibani stated that Syria is in a phase of recovery and reconstruction, which “should positively reflect on Lebanon and on the fraternal and historical relations between the two countries.”
The Syrian foreign minister expressed optimism that all obstacles hindering the reopening of relations between Lebanon and Syria would be resolved in ways that serve both peoples’ interests.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said, according to a statement by the Lebanese presidency, that deepening and developing bilateral relations between Lebanon and Syria requires forming joint committees to address all pending files, chief among them, existing agreements that “must be reviewed and reassessed.”
Aoun noted that Syria’s decision to suspend the work of the “Higher Lebanese-Syrian Council” necessitates the activation of diplomatic relations, adding, “We await the appointment of a new Syrian ambassador to Lebanon to follow up on all matters through both embassies in Damascus and Beirut.”
He continued, “The road ahead is long, but once intentions are clear, the interests of Syria and Lebanon rise above all other considerations,” stressing that “we have no choice but to agree on what guarantees those interests.”
The Lebanese president also said that the situation along the Lebanese-Syrian border has become “better than before,” adding that the issues requiring attention include the demarcation of land and maritime borders, the gas pipeline, and the detainees’ file, topics he had previously discussed with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani at the Baabda Palace, October 10 (Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
At the Grand Serail
Al-Shibani also met with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Grand Serail (the government headquarters), where the Lebanese premiership described the talks as held in a “positive and constructive atmosphere.”
The meeting covered several joint issues, including:
-
Border control and anti-smuggling measures,
-
Facilitating the safe and dignified return of Syrian refugees in coordination with the United Nations and friendly countries,
-
The issue of Syrian detainees in Lebanon and missing Lebanese citizens in Syria,
-
Reviewing bilateral agreements to enhance mutual interests and adapt to recent changes, and Lebanon’s contribution to Syria’s reconstruction.
Prime Minister Salam stressed that Lebanon is “keen” to build sound and balanced relations with Syria on the basis of cooperation between two independent states bound by geography and history. He emphasized that “openness and honest dialogue are the only path to consolidate stability in both countries and the region.”
Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri said both sides were determined to address all matters “in good faith and swiftly,” adding that the political will in Syria and Lebanon is to resolve all issues “without taboos and without falling into a logic of bargaining.”
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam receives Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani at the Grand Serail (the government headquarters), October 10, 2025 (Lebanese Presidency of the Council of Ministers)
Al-Shibani: “Significant progress” in Roumieh Prison file
Al-Shibani said he discussed all topics with the Lebanese president, foreign minister, and prime minister, noting that the issues “require in-depth discussion and technical committees.”
He stressed that these issues are of equal importance to both sides, particularly “accelerating the case of Syrian detainees in Roumieh Prison.”
“We achieved major progress in this file today,” he said, adding that “tangible results will be seen in the near future.”
The Syrian minister described the visit as “historic and very important for both sides.”
The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the expanded talks with al-Shibani addressed “pending files,” chiefly border demarcation, missing persons in both countries, Syrian prisoners in Lebanon, the return of Syrian refugees, and the need to reassess agreements and treaties “imposed on Lebanon during the rule of the former Syrian regime.”
Al-Shibani arrived in Beirut on Friday, heading a delegation that included Justice Minister Mazhar al-Weis, Syrian intelligence chief Hassan Salameh, Deputy Interior Minister Major General Abdelqader Tahan, and several political officials, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.
Syrian push on the detainees’ file
The cases of Syrian detainees in Lebanon and missing Lebanese citizens in Syria top the agenda of bilateral discussions. The first round began with a Syrian Foreign Ministry delegation visiting Beirut on September 1, followed by a Lebanese government delegation’s visit to Damascus to follow up on details.
During the September 1 visit, both sides agreed to form two committees: one to determine the fate of around 2,000 Syrian prisoners in Lebanese prisons and another to locate Lebanese citizens missing in Syria for years, as well as to work on settling shared border issues, according to the Associated Press.
The post Shibani’s Visit Advances Syrian-Lebanese Files appeared first on Enab Baladi.
from Enab Baladi https://ift.tt/JlDqWnm
via IFTTT