Damascus, Syria – Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam arrived in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Saturday, leading a high-level ministerial delegation. This official visit aims to break the deadlock in bilateral relations and develop joint cooperation in vital sectors including the economy, transportation, and energy.
A technical delegation with political and economic missions
The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that the talks will focus on strengthening coordination between the two countries to address current challenges. Salam’s delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, and the ministers of Energy and Water Joseph al-Sadi, Economy and Trade Amer al-Bassat, and Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamni. Additionally, the Prime Minister’s advisor, Ambassador Claude al-Hajjal, is accompanying the delegation, reflecting the predominantly technical and economic nature of the visit’s agenda.
Priorities of contentious issues
President Salam is scheduled to raise pressing national issues during his meetings with Syrian authorities, foremost among them the case of Lebanese prisoners in Syria. Also on the agenda is the issue of controlling illegal border crossings, a matter of security concern for both sides.
The issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon will also be high on the table, with the Lebanese side seeking practical mechanisms to facilitate their return. It also aims to alleviate the economic burdens resulting from hosting them.
Energy cooperation and the transit crisis
Economically, the talks will address the issue of importing electricity through a tripartite agreement involving Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. This project is vital to alleviating Beirut’s energy crisis.
The Lebanese delegation will also seek a solution to the crisis of Lebanese trucks stranded and prevented from freely crossing into Syrian territory. Additionally, they will discuss transit issues and improving operations at the Masnaa border crossing.
Security and border challenges
On the security front, the two sides are exploring ways to strengthen control of official borders to combat smuggling. These efforts come amid reports of military tunnels and illegal crossings used for smuggling weapons and goods. Therefore, high-level field coordination is necessary to ensure the stability of the shared border areas between the two countries.
