Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani held a telephone conversation on Wednesday with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to review avenues for deepening cooperation and coordination between Damascus and Beirut.
According to the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the call addressed several issues of mutual concern, along with recent regional and international developments and their implications for both countries. Shibani and Salam reaffirmed the importance of sustained bilateral coordination to advance shared interests and reinforce regional security and stability.
The discussion follows Shibani’s official visit to Beirut on July 2, during which he and Prime Minister Salam held a joint press conference at the Grand Serail outlining a roadmap for renewed cooperation. The visit culminated in the signing of an agreement establishing a Syrian-Lebanese Joint High Committee.
During the July press conference, Shibani described the visit as a signal of mutual support and a constructive reset in bilateral relations. He said the partnership would serve as a foundation for economic ventures and security arrangements, noting that both countries are working to move beyond the legacy of the deposed Assad regime’s approach to Lebanon.
Prime Minister Salam announced the formation of the joint high committee, explaining that talks focused on strengthening economic ties — including power-grid interconnections, cross-border freight transit, and simplified travel procedures for citizens. Shibani added that the committee would prioritize expanding economic cooperation and reaching security understandings.
On regional matters, Shibani stressed that the Lebanese government remains the sole authority empowered to manage agreements related to Israel. He reiterated Syria’s rejection of Israeli strikes on Lebanon, bombardment, and forced displacement. Addressing the issue of Syrian detainees in Lebanese prisons, he said a legal framework is being developed to secure the transfer of all detainees to Syria.
Shibani also conveyed a message from Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, affirming Syria’s commitment to supporting Lebanon across all political and social sectors and expressing a desire to build direct, state-to-state relations grounded in mutual respect.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
