Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati met with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in the capital, Damascus. During this visit aimed at revitalizing relations between the two neighboring countries, Mikati invited al-Assad to Beirut.

Accompanying Mikati were the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Interior. This visit marked the first high-level contact with Damascus since the formation of a new government in Lebanon in February. A statement from the Prime Minister’s office emphasized that the visit aimed to open “a new page” in the two countries’ relations based on “mutual respect, rebuilding trust, upholding sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs.” Discussions highlighted issues such as border security, preventing smuggling, and defining land and sea borders.

The parties also addressed the situation of Lebanese who went missing during the Assad regime in Syria and Syrians detained in Lebanon. Lebanon has requested cooperation from Syria for certain judicial investigations and the return of some suspects. The issue of the “safe and dignified” return of Syrian refugees to their country was also discussed. While struggling with an economic crisis, Lebanon hosts approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees. According to the UN Refugee Agency, around 750,000 of these individuals are officially registered.