Salim and Sharif: A New Chapter Between Beirut and Damascus… The South Faces a New Phase

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Salim intensified his diplomatic activity in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, placing Lebanon-Syria relations and the future of the international presence in southern Lebanon after the end of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate at the center of his meetings.

In this context, Salim held a meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, attended by Lebanese Foreign Minister Joseph Rizk and his Syrian counterpart Asad al-Shibani, discussing the trajectory of relations between Beirut and Damascus and ways to transition them into a new phase based on trust and shared interests.

Salim said in a statement to «MTV» following the meeting that Lebanon «is working to open a new chapter with Syria based on trust and shared interests», noting that the discussion included reviewing agreements signed during the previous term and advancing their implementation, paving the way for launching the High-Level Joint Lebanese-Syrian Committee established in Beirut.

Salim clarified that the conversation also covered strengthening regional connectivity projects between the two countries, particularly in electricity, railways, energy, and oil—issues of mutual interest—and emphasized the importance of building relations between neighboring states on the foundation of cooperation and mutual benefit.

On his part, al-Sharaa affirmed that «the old legacy is difficult», stressing the need to build new relations between Lebanon and Syria based on economics and good political ties, which will positively impact security conditions in the future.

Al-Sharaa said that «the concerns are the same between Lebanon and Syria», calling for the two countries to always maintain «the best possible relations», while emphasizing the importance of «absolute transparency with our peoples», warning that exaggerated promises could lead to shocks and undermine the space of trust.

Post-UNIFIL: No Vacuum in the South

On the issue of the south, Salim affirmed that Lebanon is actively exploring the post-UNIFIL phase in New York, stressing that a vacuum is not an option.

He told «MTV»: «We are in New York to affirm that there is a new Lebanon», adding that the focus is on the period following UNIFIL, and on identifying a force capable of replacing it and ensuring continued international presence in the south.

He added that there are «many proposals» regarding the alternative force, but emphasized that what matters to Lebanon is that such a force be under United Nations supervision.

Salim had previously stressed in his New York meetings the importance of maintaining an international presence in the south after UNIFIL’s mandate ends, contributing to stability, continuity of monitoring and communication missions, and supporting the process of extending Lebanese state authority over its entire territory.

Salim and Lavrov: Discussions on Bilateral Relations and the Future of the South

Parallel to his meeting with al-Sharaa, Salim met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, accompanied by Minister Rizk, discussing bilateral relations between Lebanon and Russia and ways to strengthen them, along with developments in Lebanon and the region.

The meeting also addressed the situation in the south and the future of international presence there amid the approaching end of UNIFIL’s mandate, with Salim reiterating the importance of maintaining an international presence to support stability and assist the Lebanese state in asserting its authority across all its territory.

The Lebanese diplomatic outreach in New York comes as proposals for the post-UNIFIL phase take shape, with Beirut firmly rejecting any security vacuum in the south and pushing for a solution backed by the United Nations.