Lebanese PM to Lead Ministerial Delegation to Damascus on

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced he will travel to Damascus on Saturday at the head of a ministerial delegation, aiming to discuss areas of cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations between Lebanon and Syria. The announcement was made during Thursday’s cabinet session at the Grand Serail, where Salam stated, “I am about to visit Syria at the head of a ministerial delegation, within the framework of enhancing bilateral relations.”

The delegation will include the Deputy Prime Minister, as well as the ministers of Economy and Trade, Public Works and Transport, and Energy and Water. Each minister will discuss cooperation matters relevant to their portfolio, alongside broader discussions on Lebanese-Syrian relations.

Salam also referenced ongoing communications with several friendly and sister nations, efforts aimed at solidifying the ceasefire and preventing Israel from continuing its repeated aggressions and the destruction of villages it has occupied or kept under fire.

Sensitive Files on the Agenda

According to sources familiar with the visit who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat, the agenda will extend beyond general political topics to include sensitive dossiers that have accumulated over recent years. Chief among these is the prisoner file, along with the issue of border control and illegal crossings, amid ongoing security challenges linked to smuggling and illicit movement. The talks will also explore mechanisms for enhancing security and administrative coordination between the two countries.

The discussions will also address the file of Syrian refugees, following a slowdown in the voluntary return process from Lebanon. Numerous other dossiers requiring coordination between the two states are on the table, including the economic file, particularly regarding the reorganization of trade exchange and transit movement through Syrian territory. This comes as Lebanon seeks to ease economic pressures and facilitate the export of Lebanese products to Arab markets.