Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam Says Lebanon-Syria Ties Advance After Damascus Talks With Ahmad al-Sharaa

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said relations between Lebanon and Syria were making progress after he met Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus on Saturday alongside ministerial delegations.

“Home News Business Energy Opinion Lifestyle Sports Video Podcast Home News Business Energy Opinion Lifestyle Sports Video Podcast Close the sidebar Home News Middle East This handout photo provided by Syria's SANA news agency's Telegram channel on May 9, 2026, shows Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) shakeshands with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the People's Palace in Damascus”

Al Arabiya English

Salam said the two sides were working to broaden cooperation and establish a “Higher Council for Cooperation with Syria,” expected to hold its first meeting in June.

Al Jazeera

He added that Lebanon’s government was focused on helping displaced residents return to towns and villages in southern Lebanon following extensive damage caused by continued Israeli attacks.

Salam also reiterated Beirut’s commitment to ending hostilities and securing an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory through ongoing negotiations.

In parallel, Al Arabiya English said the Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Salam in Damascus on a visit tackling issues including security, transport and energy.

Salam told reporters that “we discussed continuing efforts to address the issue of detained Syrians (in Lebanon) and to uncover the fate of the missing and forcibly detained in both countries,” as Syrian and Lebanese officials met in Damascus.

The New Arab said Salam and Sharaa discussed implementation of an agreement signed in February allowing the transfer of Syrian prisoners in Lebanese jails to Syria, and it said Salam expected “tangible results” to emerge soon.

Oz Arab Media

Al Arabiya English reported that Salam said the discussions also addressed “the need for stricter Syria-Lebanon border controls and preventing all types of smuggling,” while noting the two countries share a porous, 330-kilometre (205-mile) border.

Al Jazeera said the talks covered security, transport, infrastructure, and economic matters, and it added that more than 130 Syrian prisoners were transferred from Lebanon to Syria in March.

Al Arabiya English also said Salam accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri and Lebanese ministers for energy, economy and transport.

On regional security, Al Jazeera said both governments oppose the Iran-backed group Hezbollah, which holds significant influence in Lebanon and is currently engaged in a war with Israel.

“English version: Lebanon and Syria Advance Cooperation in Recent Diplomatic Talks According to Al Jazeera, the leaders of Lebanon and Syria wrapped up talks in Damascus focused on shared interests, as both countries seek to move closer after the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad about 18 months ago”

Oz Arab Media

Al Jazeera reported that Hezbollah lost its vital supply route through Syria following al-Assad’s ouster, and it said Lebanese authorities have pledged to disarm the group while warning the task has proven extremely difficult.

Al Jazeera added that Lebanon prepares for another round of direct talks with Israel in Washington next week, with negotiations scheduled for Thursday and Friday, and it said Salam would prioritise reinforcing the current ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.

In SANA’s account of Salam’s televised remarks, he said Beirut was focused on helping displaced residents return to towns and villages in southern Lebanon after extensive damage caused by continued Israeli attacks.

The New Arab said the talks also included plans to establish a joint Lebanese-Syrian business council expected to convene in Damascus in the coming weeks, alongside discussion of electricity interconnection to facilitate Lebanon’s import of power through Syria.