A recent Lebanese-Syrian judicial meeting has opened a rare channel on one of Lebanon’s most sensitive issues: political assassinations long blamed on the former Syrian regime.

Justice Minister Adel Nassar asked a visiting Syrian delegation to hand over all available information on killings and security attacks that took place in Lebanon during the Assad era, judicial sources told Annahar. The request covered cases ranging from the assassinations of Kamal Jumblat and Bashir Gemayel to the 2005 killing of Rafik Hariri, the so-called “Cedar Revolution” martyrs, and activist Lokman Slim.

Nassar also demanded the extradition of Lebanese fugitives living in Syria, including Habib Chartouni, convicted in absentia of killing president-elect Gemayel in 1982. He cited other names, among them Joseph al-Zouki, accused of killing Nasri Marouni and Naim Assi in Zahle back in 2008, as well as drug traffickers who attacked the Lebanese army in the Bekaa.

The Lebanese side further pressed Damascus to clarify the fate of detainees and disappeared persons in Syrian prisons, including Boutros Khawand, saying their files should still exist in official records. A detailed list of names and dates of arrest was submitted.

Beirut also asked Syria for information linked to the 2020 Beirut port explosion, after Syrian names surfaced in the probe. Investigative judge Tarek Bitar had previously sent a formal request to Damascus, coinciding with the detention of Igor Grechushkin, the Russian owner of the ship that carried the ammonium nitrate. Lebanese authorities are working with Bulgaria on his possible extradition.

On the sensitive issue of Syrian detainees held in Lebanon, Damascus appeared keen to wrap up the file quickly. Lebanese officials signaled flexibility by proposing a bilateral judicial agreement, but stressed they remain bound by domestic law.

Committee sources described the talks as broadly positive, saying the Syrian side was surprised by the scope of the Lebanese demands but promised to respond constructively.