BEIRUT (AP) - Lebanon and Syria are set to establish two committees aimed at addressing critical issues concerning nearly 2,000 Syrian prisoners currently held in Lebanese jails, while also seeking to locate Lebanese nationals who have been missing in Syria for years. Judicial and security officials have confirmed this development following a visit from a Syrian delegation to Beirut, marking a significant diplomatic engagement since the early December overthrow of President Bashar Assad's government by insurgent groups.
The visiting Syrian delegation included two former Cabinet ministers and the head of Syria's National Commission for Missing Persons. The officials emphasized that this visit is significant as it represents a potential thaw in relations between the two countries, which have experienced longstanding tensions. Syria's interim President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, expressed a desire to "open a new page" in relations with Lebanon, paving the way for a future visit by Syrian ministers of foreign affairs and justice, though no specific date has been established yet.
The planned visit by Syrian officials is anticipated to be a potential breakthrough in the historically fraught relationship between the two nations, marked by Lebanon's grievances over Syria’s past domination. The current Syrian leadership has shown resentment towards Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group, which fought alongside Assad's forces during the ongoing conflict. Conversely, many Lebanese continue to harbor resentment following Syria's 29-year military presence in Lebanon, which lasted until 2005.
During discussions on Monday between Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri and the Syrian delegation, key topics included the fate of the approximately 800 Syrians held in Lebanese jails under security concerns related to attacks and shootings. Notably, many of these prisoners are being detained without formal charges. The officials, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, underscored the importance of these discussions in terms of humanitarian concerns and regional stability.
Moreover, the two sides also deliberated over the plight of Lebanese citizens who have been missing in Syria, as well as the complications related to their shared unmarked border, which is often exploited for smuggling activities. The presence of an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon—who fled their war-torn homeland over 14 years ago—was also a critical point of discussion during the talks.
The Syrian delegation proposed a review of existing bilateral agreements that were established during the Assad family's extended reign, which lasted 54 years. In contrast, Lebanese officials advocated for the formulation of new agreements to more effectively address the pending issues facing both nations in the current geopolitical context.
Since the downfall of Assad's regime, there have been two notable visits from Lebanese prime ministers to Syria. Notably, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also engaged in discussions with President al-Sharaa during an Arab summit held in Egypt in March. In 2008, Lebanon and Syria took a significant step in their relations by agreeing to open embassies, which marked Syria's first official recognition of Lebanon as an independent state since it gained independence from France in 1943.
