Syrian FM in Beirut on first high-profile visit since al-Assad era

"Syria's foreign minister has held talks with senior Lebanese government figures in Beirut as the countries seek to reset ties after decades of belligerent relations, borne of involvement in each other's ruinous civil wars and occupation, accrued during the reign of the al-Assad family. Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said on Friday that his visit, the first to its neighbour by a senior leader of the fledgling government, demonstrated a new Syrian approach towards Lebanon that would overcome the obstacles of the past,"

"Attending a joint news conference, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji concurred, saying that the neighbours, which regularly clash over their shared 330-kilometre (205-mile) border, were forging a new path. Key issues include the border, the status of 2,000 Syrian prisoners in Lebanese jails, locating Lebanese nationals missing in Syria for years, and facilitating the return of Syrian refugees. More than a million Syrians fled their country's 14-year civil war for Lebanon"

"After meeting President Joseph Aoun, al-Shaibani said the refugee issue would be resolved gradually. There are plans that we are discussing now, with international support, for the dignified and stable return of refugees, he said. On the border issue, Lebanon and Syria's defence ministers signed an agreement last March to address security threats after clashes left 10 dead. The two countries have to overcome decades of mutual mistrust."

Syria's foreign minister visited Beirut to hold talks with senior Lebanese officials as the two countries seek to reset ties after decades of belligerence linked to mutual involvement in each other's wars and occupations. The visit by Asaad al-Shaibani, described as the first by a senior leader of the fledgling Syrian government, signalled a new Syrian approach toward Lebanon. Key issues identified include the shared border, around 2,000 Syrian prisoners in Lebanese jails, Lebanese nationals missing in Syria, and the facilitation of Syrian refugee returns. Plans for a gradual, internationally supported, dignified return of refugees are being discussed. Lebanon and Syria signed a defence ministers' agreement last March to address security threats after clashes left 10 dead, while deep mutual mistrust and resentment over armed groups' past interventions remain major obstacles.

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