Lebanon’s Prime Minister Meets With Syrian Leader

During his inaugural visit to Syria to meet with the new government, the Prime Minister of Lebanon called for a solution to allow Syrian refugees in Lebanon to return home. The Lebanese Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, met with Ahmad al-Shara, the leader of the new Syrian government, in Damascus. Mikati emphasized the importance of resolving the issue of over one million refugees who fled to Lebanon during the Syrian civil war. He expressed the urgency of repatriating these displaced individuals back to Syria, which is currently in a phase of recovery.

Mr. Mikati highlighted the need for both countries to address this issue promptly for the benefit of all parties involved. He stated that he believes Mr. al-Shara supports this initiative to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees from Lebanon.

Ahmad al-Shara mentioned that discussions between the two leaders focused on various topics, including border security. However, he did not provide any specific comments regarding the return of refugees. Committees are set to be established to address different challenges, with an emphasis on managing expectations for a gradual process of rebuilding Syria.

The visit of Mr. Mikati to Damascus followed the election of Joseph Aoun as the President of Lebanon after a two-year vacancy. Aoun will soon commence consultations for nominating a new Prime Minister in the upcoming week.

In Syria, Mr. al-Shara faces the daunting task of restoring order in a nation ravaged by 14 years of civil strife. He has urged citizens to return to normalcy by resuming work and education, aiming to stabilize the country.

Lebanon, like other neighboring countries of Syria, is concerned about the potential spillover of chaos from Syria. Recent clashes along the Syrian border resulted in injuries to Lebanese soldiers, highlighting the security challenges faced by Lebanon.

Following the border incidents, Mr. Mikati and Mr. al-Shara discussed measures to restore calm and prevent further escalations. Additionally, Syrian security forces apprehended individuals linked to ISIS who were planning an attack in Damascus, underscoring the ongoing security threats in the region.

In Gaza, talks for a cease-fire to release hostages held by Hamas are underway, with Israeli officials expressing optimism about reaching an agreement. Despite continued rocket launches from Gaza, efforts are being made to de-escalate tensions between Israel and Hamas.