Lebanon and Syria on Friday signed a judicial agreement allowing Syrian nationals convicted in Lebanese courts to serve the remainder of their sentences in their home country.

The ceremony took place in Beirut and was attended by Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, Justice Minister Adel Nassar, and a Syrian delegation led by Justice Minister Mazhar Al-Wais.

Speaking after the signing, Mitri described the deal as “the result of sustained effort and shared political will, showing that Lebanon and Syria can build relations based on trust and mutual respect.” He said the agreement had been approved unanimously by the Lebanese Cabinet and that implementation would begin on Tuesday.

Under the agreement, Lebanon is set to transfer more than 300 Syrian convicts to serve the remainder of their sentences in their home country. The arrangement includes prisoners who have spent more than 10 years in Lebanese prisons. 

Mitri said the deal “marks the first step toward resolving the issue of Syrian prisoners,” adding that “what benefits Lebanon also benefits Syria, and vice versa.” He expressed hope that the framework could be expanded to handle additional cases in the future.

Mitri also noted the broader significance of the agreement, describing it as “a real opportunity for the two countries to create a relationship that’s fundamentally different from the past; one based on equality, where neither side interferes in the other’s domestic affairs.”

Al-Wais acknowledged the complexity of the Syrian prisoner issue, saying it “can’t be solved with a single agreement.” He called the deal “an important step toward justice and a foundation for ongoing cooperation,” and added that both countries are developing a timeline to address convicts not covered under the current agreement. He praised the Lebanese judiciary’s role in implementing the pact.

“The work we’ve done today reflects constructive collaboration and demonstrates the depth of the relationship between Lebanon and Syria,” Al-Wais said.