Beirut is ready to hand over more than 700 Syrian prisoners held in Lebanese jails, marking a significant development in the complex relationship between the two neighboring countries.

A Lebanese judicial official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Agence France-Presse (AFP) that “more than 700 Syrian prisoners could be transferred to their home country” once their cases are processed. This includes detainees who meet the criteria for repatriation, particularly those who have completed their legal procedures. The official added that the transfer process is expected to go forward after "completing the necessary paperwork for convicted and detained Syrians who qualify for their release."

The agreement comes after former Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati visited Damascus last January, following the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Mikati met with Syria's newly elected President Ahmad al-Sharaa, and it was reported that the two sides reached an understanding to facilitate the repatriation of all Syrian detainees held in Lebanese prisons.

According to a Lebanese security source, over 2,100 Syrian nationals are currently incarcerated in Lebanon, making up nearly a third of the country’s total prison population. The source explained that 1,756 Syrians are held in Lebanon's major prisons, with 350 of them having received final sentences, while the others are still awaiting trial. In addition, about 650 Syrians are being held in temporary detention centers across the country.

These figures highlight the significant overcrowding in Lebanese prisons, which are already grappling with systemic issues. The security source also noted that the situation for detainees is difficult due to a lack of food and medical resources, which has worsened as Lebanon faces its worst financial and economic crisis in decades.

The Syrian prisoners in Lebanon come from a variety of backgrounds, with many facing charges of terrorism or suspected affiliations with extremist groups and armed factions. Some are accused of orchestrating attacks against the Lebanese army in border regions during the peak of the Syrian conflict. Several of these detainees have been referred to Lebanon’s military court, and their cases have been delayed for years, leaving many in legal limbo.

One Syrian prisoner, speaking under condition of anonymity, told AFP that he and many of his fellow detainees were arrested in Lebanon for political reasons. He revealed that he had been a member of the "Free Syrian Army," a faction formed by defectors from the Syrian military who fought against Assad’s regime. His arrest, he said, came after his participation in anti-Assad activities.

The issue has resurfaced in the wake of Assad’s ousting by opposition forces on December 8, which added further pressure to resolve the cases of Syrians detained in Lebanon. In February, more than 100 Syrian detainees in Roumieh, Lebanon’s largest prison, staged a hunger strike demanding a resolution to their cases in light of the political changes in Damascus.

Lebanon has been politically divided over the Syrian conflict, which has had lasting effects on the region. For nearly 30 years, Syrian forces and intelligence agencies operated freely in Lebanon, exerting significant influence until their withdrawal in 2005 following a wave of protests and political pressure. This complex history continues to shape Lebanon's relationship with its neighbor to the east.

In addition to Syrian refugees and militants, Hezbollah—an Iranian-backed militia allied with Assad—has sent fighters to support the Syrian government forces during the ongoing civil war. Hezbollah’s involvement has further deepened Lebanon’s political and military entanglements in Syria’s conflict.

Lebanon now hosts an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees, including 755,426 who are registered with the United Nations. These refugees fled the violence that erupted in Syria more than a decade ago, further straining Lebanon’s already fragile infrastructure and economy.