Lebanese presidential sources have revealed to Syria TV that Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad Al-Shibani is scheduled to visit Lebanon next week.
This visit is part of efforts to reorganize official relations between Damascus and Beirut and to discuss issues related to border management, economic cooperation, and activation of bilateral agreements.
On June 22, the Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad Al-Shibani to praise the "brotherly and candid position towards Lebanon" expressed by President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in his recent TV interview, which "ended misleading speculations concerning Syria's intentions towards Lebanon."
This visit continues President Al-Sharaa's public statements, reassuring Lebanon of no Syrian interference as experienced during the Assad regime over the past half-century.
In his recent TV interview, Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa emphasized that the new Syria rejects the policies of tutelage and interference in Lebanese affairs, stating that Damascus does not seek any military role in Lebanon but supports peace, stability, and dialogue among all Lebanese factions. His statements were made in response to former U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks suggesting handing over the Hezbollah dossier to Syria.
Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri echoed this sentiment, tweeting that "President Ahmad Al-Sharaa's stance towards Lebanon is now clear to everyone," confirming a clear direction towards respecting Lebanon's sovereignty and enhancing its territorial integrity.
During his visit, Al-Shibani is expected to meet with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, among other Lebanese officials, "seeking to enhance official communication channels between the two countries."
Notably, the Syrian Foreign Minister will have a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, marking the first high-level contact between a Syrian official and a Lebanese Shiite leader since the fall of the Assad regime, aiming to expand communication with various Lebanese factions and open a new chapter in bilateral relations.
According to sources, the visit follows the positive initiative announced by President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in his recent interview, aiming to confirm Damascus's support for Lebanon in overcoming its crises and establishing a cooperative approach between the two nations, distancing from previous era policies.
The main issues to be addressed during the Syrian official's visit to Beirut are border security, including enhanced joint coordination to control land borders and combat smuggling operations.
On the economy and agreements:
Activating bilateral agreements and establishing a practical path for joint committees between Damascus and Beirut.
Energy sector:
Exploring cooperation in electricity, energy, and land transportation.
On political communication,
the visit will discuss with senior Lebanese officials the organization of official relations and the opening of direct communication channels with various powers and entities.
The sources noted that Al-Shibani will emphasize during his meetings the necessity of activating bilateral agreements and setting a practical course for the work of joint committees between the two countries.
Al-Shibani's first visit to Lebanon after the fall of the Assad regime in October highlighted a press conference with his Lebanese counterpart, Joseph Rjie, where he stressed his country's respect for Lebanon's sovereignty and its desire to overcome past obstacles and build a developed political and economic relationship between the two countries. Al-Shibani stated that "this visit reflects Syria's new direction towards Lebanon, respecting and appreciating Lebanon, and refraining from interfering in its internal affairs."