In a visit notable for both its political context and its timing, the Syrian Interim Authority’s Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, paid a “historic” visit to Lebanon last Friday, where he met his Lebanese counterpart Youssef Raji before holding talks with President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace. The visit is significant as it marks the first by an official Syrian representative since the fall of the Assad regime.
Shaibani’s trip to Beirut forms part of wider efforts to reorganise relations between the two countries following a long period of tension and complex ties that characterised the era of the former Syrian regime. Discussions focused on laying new foundations for bilateral relations based on mutual respect for sovereignty and stability. This approach was reflected in both the meeting agendas and the official statements released afterwards.
The visit holds particular importance amid ongoing regional and international developments, as the Middle East experiences attempts to redefine paths toward settlement in its various conflicts. Lebanon, being a directly affected actor in these shifts, now faces an opportunity to strengthen its position by aligning its national interests with these emerging regional dynamics. The success of this visit depends largely on the ability of both parties to turn it into a practical step towards lasting cooperation that consolidates shared interests within an evolving international landscape.
In his remarks after the meeting with his Lebanese counterpart, Shaybani described the visit as “historic”, affirming Syria’s respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty and its desire to move beyond past disputes to build a normal relationship. The Lebanese Foreign Minister, for his part, described the visit as “a new page” in relations between the two countries, announcing an agreement to establish joint committees to address outstanding issues, alongside Damascus’s commitment to non-interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs. He also revealed that the Supreme Lebanese–Syrian Council had been suspended, with plans to abolish it entirely in order to develop “balanced and sound” bilateral relations.
Writer Darwish Khalifa told +963 that the Syrian visit to Beirut represents an important step for both sides, as it aims to break the psychological and political barriers that have resulted from years of conflict and the involvement of Hezbollah and other Lebanese factions in the Syrian war. He pointed out that one of the first matters to be addressed is the issue of Syrian detainees in Lebanese prisons, noting that even in cases involving judicial rulings or criminal charges, mechanisms can be found to transfer these prisoners to Syria for trial or sentence completion, in a way that safeguards their dignity and legal rights, particularly since all Lebanese prisoners have already been released from Syrian jails.
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Khalifa added that the issue of border demarcation requires direct and institutional cooperation between Damascus and Beirut through a joint committee under the supervision of the Arab League or the United Nations. He explained that the committee formed in 2008 had completed around two-thirds of the work before it was halted by the war. He emphasised the need to resume efforts based on clear mechanisms that protect the rights of both sides and prevent future disputes.
Regarding the issue of frozen Syrian assets in Lebanese banks, Khalifa described it as the most complex of all due to Lebanon’s financial crisis, political divisions, and the influence of Hezbollah’s weaponry on decision-making. He suggested the establishment of an independent external financial committee to restore funds to affected Syrian citizens, or for Lebanon to offer partial compensation from its gold reserves, with Damascus later repaying the funds to its citizens whose money remains trapped in Lebanese banks.
Khalifa stressed that Lebanese–Syrian relations are going through a delicate phase that requires political wisdom and realistic approaches, highlighting the need for permanent joint committees to address outstanding files gradually and systematically. He added that this visit could rebuild trust after years of tension and open a new stage of cooperation based on equality and mutual respect, away from the political dominance that marked the pre-2005 era of Syrian military presence in Lebanon.
He concluded that the visit comes at a politically and economically sensitive time, reflecting both countries’ desire to open a new chapter in relations amid shifting regional realities and growing humanitarian challenges. He expressed hope that this step will be the beginning of a reconciliatory path that restores the natural dimension of Syrian–Lebanese relations, built on shared interests and historical ties between the two peoples.
During his meeting with Shaibani at Baabda Palace, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stressed that strengthening and developing relations between Lebanon and Syria should take place through the formation of joint committees to discuss pending issues, noting that Damascus’s decision to suspend the Supreme Lebanese–Syrian Council necessitates activating diplomatic relations.
Shaibani affirmed his country’s intention to establish trade and investment partnerships with Lebanon, stating that Syria is entering a phase of recovery and reconstruction that should have positive effects on its neighbour. He thanked Lebanon for hosting Syrian refugees and confirmed ongoing efforts to facilitate their return under an international plan. He also revealed that Damascus is awaiting the appointment of a new Syrian ambassador to Lebanon to follow up on bilateral issues through diplomatic channels.
Shaybani noted that the situation along the border has improved, pointing out that the most pressing matters requiring discussion are the land and maritime boundaries, the gas pipeline, and the issue of detainees, all of which should be approached with a focus on shared national interests.
Lebanese writer Hanna Saleh told +963 that Shaibani’s visit to Beirut came amid highly sensitive regional and global circumstances. He explained that the visit coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned tour of the Middle East, during which he is expected to attend the signing of an agreement to end the war in Gaza; a signal that Washington fully supports this process.
Saleh added that Trump will address the Israeli Knesset, describing his expected role as that of one of the key architects of peace, succeeding where many before him had failed. He noted that Trump views the end of the Gaza war as the gateway to a comprehensive peace process, beginning in Gaza and leading toward a two-state solution. Lebanon, Saleh said, is part of this transformation and must act swiftly to align itself with the post-war phase, particularly by implementing the ceasefire arrangements negotiated by Speaker Nabih Berri and endorsed by Sheikh Naim Qassem.
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Saleh argued that Shaibani’s visit holds exceptional importance, as it marks the first visit by a senior Syrian official to Lebanon since the start of the transitional government in Damascus, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. He noted that the issues on the table are numerous and crucial; ranging from the fate of prisoners and refugees to border demarcation, the fight against smuggling and human trafficking, and investigations into political assassinations.
He added that the visit goes beyond formal diplomacy, as it touches directly on Lebanon’s position within the emerging balance of power in the region. Saleh emphasised that Lebanon’s national interest requires viewing this visit as an opportunity to resolve long-standing issues on fair grounds rather than as a mere Syrian initiative to restore its regional role.
He concluded that understanding the scale of regional change obliges Beirut to transform this moment into a national opportunity to reinforce its interests, rather than serving as a temporary stop for Syria’s political re-emergence.
Lebanese politician Assaad Bechara told +963 that Shaibani’s visit represents a significant signal towards reopening Syrian–Lebanese relations based on cooperation instead of tutelage, and mutual benefit instead of past grievances. He said that both Lebanon and Syria now face a historic opportunity to build a normal relationship as two neighbouring states founded on border demarcation, extradition of wanted persons, and the strengthening of economic and security cooperation.
Bechara added: “The Assad era is behind us. Today, we have the chance to establish an open and transparent relationship with the new Syrian state. The return of refugees has already begun, which is a step in the right direction, especially as Lebanon relies on around 600,000 Syrian workers in key sectors, making structured coordination a national and economic necessity.”
He also suggested that Syrian transitional president Ahmed al-Sharaa may visit Beirut soon, a step that would further consolidate the process of full normalisation and rebuild trust between the two countries on the principles of equality, sovereignty, and mutual benefit, contributing to the region’s stability and the welfare of both peoples.
