On October 10, 2025, Beirut’s political corridors buzzed with an energy not seen in years, as Lebanon hosted Syria’s foreign affairs chief, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani. The visit marked a watershed moment in the often fraught relationship between the two neighbors, signaling the beginning of what both sides hope will be a new era of cooperation and mutual respect. The significance of the occasion was underscored by the high-level meetings, candid press conferences, and the palpable sense of diplomatic recalibration in the air.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in a meeting with al-Shibani, set the tone for the day. According to a statement released by Lebanon’s presidency and reported by Xinhua, Aoun declared, “Lebanon seeks to strengthen its brotherly ties with Syria on the basis of mutual respect and sovereign equality, to serve the stability and prosperity of both nations.” He emphasized Lebanon’s intention to activate cooperation in political, economic, and security fields, aiming for stability in both countries.
The president didn’t mince words about the practical steps ahead. He proposed the formation of joint committees to review and update bilateral agreements, and to tackle thorny issues such as border demarcation, coordination on gas pipelines, and the status of detainees. Aoun also noted that Lebanon was awaiting the appointment of a new Syrian ambassador to Beirut, a move that would help formalize and streamline communications between the two states.
For his part, al-Shibani was equally forthright. “Our peoples have suffered enough from wars and mismanagement,” he said, as reported by Xinhua and Arab News. “Let us try peace. We are ready to discuss all pending files, whether economic or security-related.” Al-Shibani’s visit—his first to Lebanon since the fall of the Assad regime in Syria in December 2024—was not just symbolic. It was accompanied by a large Syrian delegation, including Justice Minister Mazhar Al-Wais, intelligence chief Hussein Al-Salama, and Major General Abdul Qader Tahan, Syria’s assistant minister of interior for security affairs.
At a joint press conference with Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji, al-Shibani outlined Syria’s goals: “Syria, now entering a stage of recovery and reconstruction, seeks balanced political relations founded on respect for sovereignty and non-interference.” He added, “We intend to turn our relationship with Lebanon from a tense security-based one into a strong political and economic partnership that benefits both nations.”
These words were echoed by Rajji, who welcomed what he called “a very important and positive development.” He stated, “What distinguishes this stage is the new Syrian administration’s respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence and its non-interference in its internal affairs.” According to SANA and the National News Agency, Rajji also informed the public that the work of the Syrian Lebanese Higher Council had been suspended and would soon be formally abolished, marking a significant shift in the framework of bilateral relations. All communications would now be conducted through embassies and formal diplomatic channels.
The Lebanese-Syrian Higher Council, established in 1991 under the Treaty of Brotherhood, Cooperation, and Coordination, had long served as the primary channel for sensitive coordination between Beirut and Damascus. Its influence waned after the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon in 2005, but its formal dissolution now signals a clear intent by both sides to reset the relationship on a new, more balanced footing.
Al-Shibani’s visit was more than ceremonial. The Syrian delegation held a series of meetings with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, and security officials from both countries. The discussions were wide-ranging, covering border management, anti-smuggling efforts, the safe and dignified repatriation of Syrian refugees (with international support), and the fate of detainees and missing persons on both sides. Salam’s office described the talks as a “mutual affirmation of the desire to open a new chapter based on mutual respect, good neighborliness and the preservation of the sovereignty and national independence of both countries.”
Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri stressed the urgency and goodwill underpinning the process, noting that every issue would be tackled “in a spirit of goodwill and urgency,” with no “red lines” or bartering. Al-Shibani reported progress on expediting the cases of Syrian detainees in Lebanon’s Roumieh prison and highlighted gains in joint security and intelligence coordination.
One of the most pressing unresolved issues is Damascus’ demand for the extradition of Syrian detainees held in Lebanon—ranging from those convicted of serious crimes to those detained without trial. Conversely, Lebanon has insisted that Syria address the fate of Lebanese missing persons on Syrian soil and provide information related to individuals accused of crimes in Lebanon, including high-profile political assassinations. These are not minor matters, and both sides appear intent on addressing them head-on, albeit with caution and pragmatism.
The backdrop to these discussions is a recent history of tension and violence, including a serious escalation along the Lebanese-Syrian border in March 2025 when armed men abducted and executed three Syrian soldiers. That crisis was defused after direct intervention by the defense ministers of both countries, who agreed to a cease-fire and measures to prevent further border incidents. This episode underscored the fragility of the situation and the urgent need for robust, stable cooperation.
Economic cooperation is also high on the agenda. Al-Shibani called for expanded collaboration in trade, noting that the lifting of some sanctions on Syria has opened new opportunities for both countries. He expressed gratitude to Lebanon for hosting Syrian refugees during the war years, despite Lebanon’s own economic hardships, and voiced hope for a gradual, internationally supported resolution to the refugee issue. “There are plans currently under discussion, with international support, to ensure a dignified and sustainable return and to address the postwar situation in Syria through infrastructure development, reconstruction and other measures,” he said, as reported by Arab News.
President Aoun, for his part, acknowledged improvements along the border and reiterated the urgency of resolving outstanding issues, especially those previously discussed with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at summits in Cairo and Doha. He emphasized that “the interests of our two brotherly countries will take precedence over all else,” and that “we have no choice but to reach an agreement that respects these interests.”
Perhaps most tellingly, al-Shibani delivered an official invitation from President al-Sharaa for President Aoun to visit Syria—an overture that would have been unthinkable just a year ago. Both sides, it seems, are determined to “turn the page on the past because we want to build the future,” as al-Shibani put it. The road ahead is sure to be bumpy, but for now, the mood in Beirut and Damascus is one of cautious optimism, grounded in the hard lessons of history and the urgent needs of the present.
As the dust settles from these historic meetings, the people of Lebanon and Syria find themselves at the threshold of a new chapter—one that, if handled with care and sincerity, could finally deliver the stability and prosperity that has eluded the region for so long.