• Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is on his first official visit to Syria.
• The visit aims to reset diplomatic ties strained by decades of conflict.
• Key topics include border security, Syrian refugees, and political assassinations.
• This dialogue occurs amid shifting regional dynamics and reduced Hezbollah influence.
• Saudi Arabia is enhancing its role in facilitating relations between the two nations.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam arrived in Damascus on April 14, initiating the first official visit by a Lebanese leader since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. This summit with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa marks a pivotal shift in relations that have been historically fraught with tension and mutual distrust. Salam’s office characterized this visit as an effort to "open a new page" based on “mutual respect, restoring trust, and good neighborliness” between the two countries, emphasizing the need for non-interference in each other's affairs, according to Al Jazeera.

During discussions, key issues were addressed, including the tightening of border controls, the repatriation of Syrian refugees residing in Lebanon, and the management of smuggling along their shared border of approximately 330 kilometers. Salam noted the necessity of a "healthy and respectful framework" for bilateral relations, signifying a desire for solidarity in implementing these policies, as reported by TRT Global.

The backdrop of this visit includes the recent political upheaval in Syria following the fall of Assad's regime in December 2024 and subsequent agreements, including a security pact facilitated by Saudi Arabia between Lebanon and Syria. The two nations aim to enhance coordination to combat border smuggling and prevent further tensions, especially following accusations against Hezbollah regarding border incidents, according to an analysis by Le Monde.

Salam's discussions also prominently featured the sensitive issue of Lebanese individuals who went missing under the former Syrian leadership, reflecting a long-standing grievance impacting Lebanese society deeply. With reports suggesting that Lebanon hosts approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees, the humanitarian aspect remains a crucial pillar of the talks, reaffirming a shared interest in resolving these complex challenges, according to Al Jazeera.