Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel met Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on Thursday at the party's headquarters in Saifi, with both sides expressing hope for a new chapter in Lebanese-Syrian relations based on sovereignty, mutual respect and cooperation.

The meeting focused on bilateral ties and prospects for what both officials described as a new phase in relations between the neighboring countries.

Joining Gemayel were Kataeb parliamentary bloc MPs Salim Sayegh and Adib Abdel Massih, former minister and MP Elie Marouni, Secretary-General Walid Fares, Deputy Secretary-General Bashir Mourad, and Central Council member Jimmy Francis.

Al-Shaibani was accompanied by Syria's chargé d'affaires in Beirut, Iyad al-Hazzah.

Opening the meeting, al-Shaibani thanked Gemayel for the reception, describing the talks as "frank, brotherly and filled with hope for a better future for the Syrian and Lebanese peoples."

He said his visit was intended to open "a new chapter" in relations between Syria and Lebanon based on friendship, mutual respect and cooperation.

Responding to a question, al-Shaibani stressed that Syria's new leadership views Lebanon as "a partner and a sovereign state."

"The new Syria views Lebanon as a partner and as a sovereign state," he said. "Any issue between our two countries should be addressed through consultation and with full respect for each other's sovereignty."

He added that the visit marked the beginning of a new phase in Syria's relations not only with the Lebanese state but also with the country's political forces.

"This visit lays the foundation for a new stage in Syria's relationship with Lebanon and with Lebanon's various political forces, based on partnership and cooperation," he said.

Al-Shaibani also denied that any initiative concerning Hezbollah had been discussed during the meeting.

For his part, Gemayel said hosting the Syrian foreign minister at the Kataeb headquarters carried strong symbolic significance given the party's history of opposition to the former Syrian regime.

"The party that sacrificed thousands of martyrs in confronting the Assad regime, which sought to impose its tutelage over Lebanon, is today welcoming a representative of the new Syria," Gemayel said. "We hope this marks the beginning of a different chapter in relations between our two countries."

He said the Kataeb Party looked forward to turning the page on the past and building a new relationship with Syria founded on two key principles: political independence and economic integration.

"We look forward to opening a new chapter between Lebanon and Syria based on two fundamental principles: political independence and economic integration," he said.

Gemayel stressed the importance of mutual recognition of the sovereignty and independence of both countries and of establishing a relationship built on respect and cooperation that serves the interests of both peoples, particularly through stronger economic ties.

He added that the same vision had guided a previous conversation with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

"The discussion with President Ahmed al-Sharaa focused on ways to strengthen cooperation between our two countries in pursuit of our shared interests," he said.

Gemayel concluded by expressing hope that al-Shaibani's visit would launch a new era in Lebanese-Syrian relations.

He also voiced hope that relations among Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa would be built on foundations that would pave the way for a better future for both Lebanon and Syria.