This handout photo provided by Syria’s SANA news agency’s Telegram channel, shows Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the People’s Palace in Damascus. AFP
Speaking at Damascus International Airport after concluding his visit, Salam said discussions with Syrian officials had focused on strengthening bilateral ties and resolving long-standing disputes.
“We achieved significant progress today in addressing our common issues, especially pending matters, in a positive spirit and with a commitment to cooperation without reservation or hesitation,” Salam said, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.
He added that he expected “tangible results” soon.
The talks covered border security, smuggling, trade, transport links, energy cooperation, and the return of Syrian refugees, according to Lebanese officials.
Salam said both sides stressed the need for tighter control over the Lebanese-Syrian border and discussed efforts to combat smuggling and facilitate the movement of people and goods.
The two countries also reviewed the implementation of an agreement to transfer convicted Syrian prisoners from Lebanese jails to Syria, alongside efforts to clarify the fate of missing and forcibly disappeared people in both countries.
Discussions on refugees focused on facilitating the “safe and dignified” return of Syrians and regulating Syrian labour in Lebanon.
Lebanon hosts more than one million registered Syrian refugees, according to the United Nations (UN), as of May 2026, the highest number per capita in the world. Lebanese officials say the real number is significantly higher when unregistered Syrians are included.
Many Syrians in Lebanon are now considered “double-displaced” after losing homes or informal settlements for a second time due to the Israeli war on Lebanon.
Humanitarian assistance for refugees and vulnerable Lebanese communities is currently coordinated through the Lebanon Response Plan 2026, jointly managed by the Lebanese government and the UN alongside more than 150 partner organizations.
The talks also addressed transport and trade, including freight routes, border crossings, customs procedures, and transit fees that have disrupted commercial activity between the two countries.
Salam said Lebanon and Syria agreed to speed up the launch of a joint business council, with its first meeting expected in Damascus within weeks.
Energy cooperation was also discussed, including electricity interconnection projects and a proposed agreement to transport natural gas through Syria to Lebanon.
Salam said the two sides would continue consultations through technical committees and increased ministerial coordination.
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