Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani's visit to Beirut “has eased concerns” that Damascus intends to interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has said.
Speaking to a delegation from the Maronite League, Aoun said on Thursday the visit reflected Syria's commitment to building "sound relations" based on mutual respect, sovereignty and non-interference, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency.
“The visit being made today by the Syrian foreign minister removes the concerns of some Lebanese about the existence of an intention by Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa to interfere in Lebanon,” Aoun said.
He said the Syrian delegation stressed that cooperation should take place exclusively “from state to state,” rather than through political parties or factions.
Talks of possible Syrian intervention in Lebanon surfaced after President Donald Trump said Israel “disappointed” the US by failing to “put away Hezbollah” and is considering having Syria “take care” of it.
Following Trump’s statements on June 21, al Sharaa said in a televised interview with Al Mashhad TV that Damascus is open to dialogue with all Lebanese parties, including Hezbollah.
In the interview, al Sharaa said: “We will sit at the same table with Hezbollah if it serves the interests of Syria and Lebanon.”
Overcoming the ‘negative legacy’
During the Syrian foreign minister's visit, Lebanon and Syria signed an agreement establishing a Joint Higher Committee to deepen cooperation in political, economic and security fields.
The agreement was announced after Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met al Shaibani at the Grand Serail, where both sides pledged to strengthen ties through practical cooperation.
Salam said the committee would coordinate efforts on electricity interconnection, transport, trade, cross-border movement and broader bilateral relations serving both countries' interests, according to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA).
Salam said the newly established Lebanese-Syrian Joint Higher Committee would serve as a mechanism to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
For his part, al Shaibani said that the agreement is a framework for expanding partnerships between ministries, enhancing security coordination and overcoming the difficult legacy of past relations.
He added that Syria supports the Lebanese government and people while seeking a new chapter built on cooperation and mutual trust.
"We signed the agreement establishing the Joint Higher Committee for Cooperation and Partnership with Lebanon. This framework will serve as a platform for ministries in both countries to develop partnerships, security coordination and broader cooperation," he said.
He also said Syria seeks to overcome "the negative legacy" that strained bilateral relations during the regime of the deposed Bashar al Assad dictatorship.
Commenting on Lebanon's recently announced framework agreement with Israel, al Shaibani condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the displacement of civilians.
He said the agreement remains Lebanon's sovereign decision, adding that Syria supports any political process that promotes Lebanon's stability and national interests.
