Lebanon and Syria are moving toward a broader phase of political, security and institutional cooperation, as both governments seek to address longstanding disputes and translate diplomatic understandings reached since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime into concrete measures.

Lebanon is sending its largest ministerial delegation to Damascus since the political change in Syria, with Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri leading a delegation of four ministers on Monday. The visit comes as the two countries seek to advance cooperation on security, border management, the status of Syrian nationals in Lebanon and other outstanding administrative and legal issues.

The delegation includes Interior and Municipalities Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar, Labor Minister Mohammad Haydar, Education Minister Rima Karami and Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed. Their portfolios are directly linked to some of the most pressing issues between the neighboring countries, allowing for sector-specific meetings with their Syrian counterparts alongside broader political discussions.

The visit also comes amid renewed international attention to the future of Lebanon and Syria. Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain on Sunday, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Daniel Blome said both countries were entering a new phase, with the focus shifting from whether they could rebuild to how they would do so and on what foundations.

"Both are turning a corner, and the question is no longer whether they can be rebuilt but how and on what foundation," Blome said.

His remarks came as Washington seeks to encourage economic engagement with Syria following President Donald Trump's decision to lift U.S. sanctions on the country, while also backing efforts to dismantle Hezbollah's military infrastructure in Lebanon and pave the way for reconstruction.

Mitri: Regulating the Presence of Syrians Is a Priority

Mitri told Al Modon that the visit builds on an ongoing dialogue with the Syrian side aimed at addressing the situation of Syrian nationals living in Lebanon through a more systematic and comprehensive approach.

The discussions will cover the circumstances of displaced Syrians who have returned to Syria as well as those who remain in Lebanon, the regulation of Syrian labor and cases of irregular entry. They will also address identity documents and school certificates, the registration of people who entered Lebanon clandestinely, and the regulation of cross-border movement.

Mitri said the Lebanese delegation, comprising four ministers in addition to himself, would meet with four Syrian ministers. The arrangement is intended to allow both sides to examine shared issues from different angles and identify the measures needed to address longstanding problems.

Addressing the timing of the visit and its possible connection to regional negotiations, Mitri stressed that the political and diplomatic tracks were separate from the agenda of the ministerial talks. He also denied reports that Syria had previously asked Lebanon to take part in the negotiations or be briefed on their progress.

He did not rule out discussions touching on political developments, including the wider regional situation, but stressed that the priority was to address the circumstances of Syrians temporarily residing in Lebanon.

These issues require measures involving several ministries and agencies and relate to legal residency, employment rights, recognition of official documents, and the conditions governing return and border crossings. They therefore require direct coordination between the relevant institutions in both countries, Mitri said.

Security Cooperation at the Highest Levels

On security matters, Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar told Al Modon that the talks would cover issues of mutual concern, foremost among them the displaced Syrians file and efforts to facilitate procedures between the two countries.

"I will discuss shared security issues with my Syrian counterpart, including border matters, security coordination at the highest levels, combating drugs and criminal offenses, and exchanging information," al-Hajjar said.

He also stressed the importance of cooperation against extremist networks with cross-border reach, which requires coordination among the relevant security agencies.

Border control is central to these efforts because it is closely linked to the movement of people, workers and displaced Syrians, as well as the fight against smuggling and organized crime. Addressing these challenges requires joint mechanisms for information-sharing and a clear division of responsibilities, in accordance with the law and each country's sovereign authority.

The discussions are part of broader efforts to reorganize security ties between Beirut and Damascus, moving beyond temporary understandings toward institutional cooperation based on clear frameworks.

Former Assad Officials: Extradition and Judicial Jurisdiction

The issue of figures and individuals linked to the former Syrian regime remains one of the sensitive matters in bilateral relations, particularly after previous Syrian requests for Lebanon to hand over some of those residing on its territory.

Mitri told Al Modon that the Lebanese delegation would not take the initiative to raise the issue, although it could be discussed if the Syrian side brings it up.

He also cast doubt on reports that lists of wanted individuals existed, saying such claims had been repeated without their actual existence being established, according to the information available to him. Neither side, he added, has precise knowledge of the identities of all those affiliated with the former regime. He also dismissed the likelihood that those currently in Lebanon could form a force capable of overthrowing Syria's new authorities.

The case of Ali Kayali, also known as Mıraç Ural, has brought the legal complexities surrounding the issue back into focus. Last October, conflicting accounts emerged over his arrest and transfer from Lebanon to Syria. Lebanese security sources said the operation had taken place without the knowledge of the Lebanese authorities, while the Syrian Embassy in Beirut denied any involvement.

The case raises questions extending beyond the identity of the individual concerned, including the legal requirements for extradition, the limits of territorial jurisdiction and the guarantees governing prosecution. Handing over wanted individuals is subject to specific legal procedures and must respect judicial authority and national sovereignty, regardless of the security cooperation between the two countries.

From Diplomatic Visits to Implementing Understandings

Monday's visit is the latest step in a political and diplomatic process that began after the fall of Assad's regime in December 2024, opening the way for Lebanon and Syria to rebuild their relationship on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty and shared interests.

In April 2025, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited Damascus and met Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani then visited Beirut in October of that year. Mitri traveled to the Syrian capital in November, before Salam returned in May 2026 at the head of a government delegation to follow up on economic and trade cooperation and other shared issues.

The diplomatic exchanges have been accompanied by practical steps, most notably an agreement signed by the two countries in February 2026 on the transfer of convicted Syrian prisoners. Work has also continued on border issues and the files of missing persons and detainees, as part of efforts to address outstanding matters through official channels.

Monday's visit represents a more advanced stage in this process, given the breadth of ministerial representation and the range of portfolios involved. The issues on the agenda require coordinated administrative and legal decisions that extend beyond the remit of any single ministry and call for direct cooperation between Lebanese and Syrian institutions.

One notable political aspect of the delegation is the participation of Labor Minister Mohammad Haydar, who is affiliated with the Amal-Hezbollah Shiite duo, at a time of continued tensions between Syria's new leadership and Hezbollah.

Sources within the party told Al Modon that Haydar's participation was related to the responsibilities of the Labor Ministry and his position as a member of the Lebanese government, not as a representative of Hezbollah.

The participation of the relevant ministers reflects an effort to address shared issues through state institutions and within the executive responsibilities of each ministry, regardless of the political affiliations of their officeholders.

Washington Sees a New Opening for Syria and Lebanon

Blome's remarks at the Manama Dialogue placed the evolving relationship between Lebanon and Syria within a wider regional effort to promote stability, reconstruction and economic integration.

He described Trump's decision to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria as a catalyst for renewed economic interest in the country, saying the move had already helped attract investment.

Syria, under President Ahmad al-Sharaa, has been seeking to draw greater interest from American businesses. In September, a delegation of more than 50 U.S. companies visited Damascus in an effort to rebuild economic ties. The World Bank estimates that Syria's reconstruction will cost about $216 billion.

Blome also highlighted trilateral talks involving the United States, Israel and Lebanon, saying they were aimed at "dismantling Hezbollah's infrastructure and opening a path towards reconstruction and recovery."

The discussions have drawn both optimism and skepticism. Some officials have described them as productive, while others view them as a means of allowing Israel to consolidate its occupation of southern Lebanon.

Conference officials have also emphasized the need for countries across the region to diversify their economies and strengthen connectivity following the disruption caused by the war involving Iran. That effort includes addressing the impact on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally accounts for about 20% of global energy trade.

Blome pointed to opportunities for trade and investment in the Gulf and Iraq, saying he believed the region had significant economic prospects.

"We feel that the future of this region is bright in many ways," he said.

His optimism, however, was challenged by questions about the risk of renewed conflict, particularly after Trump repeatedly threatened to resume strikes on Iran and Tehran warned it would respond on a larger scale to any U.S. attack.

Blome said it was important to advance an alternative vision for the region, which he argued had long been destabilized by Iran's use of proxy groups.

"We have to be talking about it – an alternative vision for this region that for too long has been torn apart by Iran's use of proxies," he said.

Despite the recent rhetoric from Washington and Tehran, Blome said diplomatic channels remained "open and active." He did not rule out the possibility of renewed conflict, adding that the United States was prepared to pursue "another direction" if necessary.