Syria and Lebanon Commit to Resetting Relations with Strategic Cooperation

New Syrian leader Ahmad Sharaa and Lebanese PM Najib Mikati pledge to address past tensions, strengthen borders, and resolve long-standing issues.

Syria's new ruler Ahmad Sharaa and Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati held talks in Damascus to initiate a new phase of bilateral relations after decades of strained ties under the Assad regime.
Both sides agreed to prioritize the delineation of land and sea borders and to form a joint committee to address smuggling and illegal crossings along their shared border.
Sharaa emphasized Syria's commitment to respecting Lebanese sovereignty and avoiding interference in its internal politics, marking a shift from the Assad family's historical dominance over Lebanon.
Discussions included the return of Syrian refugees from Lebanon, which hosts approximately two million displaced Syrians, as well as addressing the issue of Lebanese citizens who disappeared in Syrian custody during prior decades.
The meeting follows the recent election of Joseph Aoun as Lebanon's president and the weakening of Hezbollah after its recent war with Israel, signaling potential regional shifts in power dynamics.