Samy Gemayel, leader of the Kataeb Party, said his recent phone call with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was “very positive,” expressing hope it could signal the beginning of a new chapter in relations between Lebanon and Syria.

Speaking to MTV Lebanon, Gemayel said the contact comes after decades of strained relations under Syria’s former leadership.

“After 30 years of oppression and humiliation under the previous Syrian regime and years of tense relations, the changes that have taken place today require giving cooperation between Lebanon and Syria a real chance,” Gemayel said.

“That’s why this first call with al-Sharaa was made. It was very positive, and we hope it will help open a new chapter between Lebanon and Syria, especially given the difficult circumstances we are currently facing,” he added.

Gemayel said Lebanon needed reassurance regarding security along its northern and eastern borders, particularly in the Bekaa region bordering Syria.

According to the Kataeb leader, al-Sharaa assured him that reports suggesting the Syrian army might enter Lebanese territory were unfounded.

“He assured me that all the talk about a plan for the Syrian army to enter Lebanon is completely false,” Gemayel said. “The troop deployment along the border is intended to secure Syria, and Syrian forces are also deployed along the border with Iraq.”

Gemayel also raised concerns about potential activity by Hezbollah along Lebanon’s eastern and northern border areas with Syria.

“We are concerned about the possibility of Hezbollah playing a role there,” he said, noting that the group has maintained cells along the border since the Syrian war, along with operations rooms and ongoing activity.

He added that al-Sharaa had taken measures to reinforce security along Syria’s borders in response to those concerns.