The Syrian Future Movement is following the official visit of Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani to the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The visit included a series of high-level meetings, including with President Joseph Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, as well as meetings with Lebanese religious leaders and political figures.
The visit culminated in the announcement of an agreement to form a joint Syrian-Lebanese high committee. This committee aims to develop bilateral relations based on mutual respect, good neighborliness, and the preservation of sovereignty, with a focus on economic cooperation, electricity interconnection, and facilitating the movement of citizens.
Based on the Syrian Future Movement’s approach of “supporting national solutions without endorsing any party unconditionally, and criticizing what threatens the state-building process without hostility,” this statement is issued to assess this visit, which represents a fundamental shift in Syrian-Lebanese relations and opens new horizons for strategic cooperation. It is emphasized that the true success of this path depends on translating good intentions into concrete, practical steps.
First: The Syrian Future Movement values this historic visit and commends the diplomatic efforts exerted by both sides to reach this level of communication, considering it an embodiment of the vision of a “New Syria” based on openness and regional cooperation.
The Syrian Future Movement also commends the eight meetings held by Minister Shibani with various Lebanese factions, which demonstrate an unprecedented openness from Damascus towards all components of the Lebanese political landscape.
We see in this visit a clear message that the New Syria seeks to build balanced relations with Lebanon based on shared interests and mutual respect, far removed from the policies of tutelage and interference that characterized the era of the ousted regime.
The Syrian Future Movement particularly appreciates the statements made by Minister Shibani regarding Syria’s openness to meeting with Hezbollah if deemed necessary, reflecting political maturity and a readiness for dialogue with all parties. This will contribute to easing internal tensions in Lebanon, strengthening its stability, and granting Syria its rightful regional role.
Second: The Syrian Future Movement notes that the formation of the Joint Higher Committee constitutes an institutional framework for developing cooperation on vital issues, including energy, the economy, and security, thereby strengthening integration between the two countries and contributing to the realization of shared interests.
The Syrian Future Movement observes that the Joint Higher Committee will hold periodic meetings to enhance cooperation in vital areas, most notably the electrical interconnection between the two countries, facilitating the movement of citizens, and economic cooperation.
We also commend this approach, which contributes to alleviating the energy crisis in Lebanon, strengthens economic ties between the two peoples, and facilitates movement and trade.
The Syrian Future Movement recalls that these meetings also addressed sensitive security issues, including a Syrian political initiative to support the Lebanese state’s efforts to monopolize the use of force, indicating a genuine desire from Damascus to support Lebanon’s stability and strengthen its sovereignty.
We note that Minister Shibani, during his meeting with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, emphasized the rejection of Israeli aggression and the commitment to implementing the Taif Agreement to guarantee stability, a position consistent with our firm vision of rejecting any foreign interference that threatens national security.
Third: The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its firm positions supporting the development of Syrian-Lebanese relations and the strengthening of regional security, as published on its official website, including:
- The article “Towards a New Phase in Syrian-Lebanese Relations” (dated June 22, 2026), in which it called on Hezbollah to open a new chapter with Syria and embrace openness towards Syria in order to forge a regional alliance that would protect Lebanon from Israeli aggression, with Syrian guarantees.
- The statement “Completion of the Handover of the Second Batch of Syrian Prisoners in Lebanon” (dated June 25, 2026), in which it commended the diplomatic and judicial efforts exerted by both sides and called for the continuation of this process to include all Syrians detained abroad.
Fourth: While the Syrian Future Movement appreciates this important step, it emphasizes that the true success of diplomatic relations is not measured by the number of visits, but rather by their ability to achieve tangible results that benefit both peoples.
Based on its national responsibility, the Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
- Expediting the activation of the Joint Higher Committee and establishing a clear timetable for implementing cooperation projects, particularly those related to electricity interconnection and facilitating the movement of citizens, while defining mechanisms for regular follow-up and public reporting on progress.
- Strengthening security and intelligence cooperation to combat terrorism and transnational organized crime, and to protect the shared borders, thereby enhancing the security and stability of both countries, following the successful example of cooperation in the prisoner exchange.
- Leveraging Syria’s supportive stance on the Lebanese state’s monopoly on the use of force by providing political and technical support to Lebanese institutions, and working to translate this initiative into practical steps that contribute to strengthening Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability.
- Continuing dialogue with all Lebanese parties, including Hezbollah, to ensure that bilateral relations are comprehensive and sustainable, based on shared interests and mutual respect, and free from any exclusion or marginalization.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its welcome of this historic visit, which affirms the depth of Syrian-Lebanese relations and strengthens prospects for future cooperation.
The Syrian Future Movement highly values the diplomatic efforts exerted by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and commends the warm reception he received in Lebanon, which reflects a genuine desire on both sides to overcome the legacy of the past and build a shared future.
We also believe that the new Syria, which is today taking steady steps toward recovery and reconstruction, is called upon to capitalize on this momentum, and
