Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s visit to Damascus constitutes the first trip by a sitting Lebanese premier to Syria in over a decade. This meeting with Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, occurs amidst a political transition in Syria following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad. Concurrently, newly-elected President Joseph Aoun prepares for his inaugural foreign visit to Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for strengthened relationships to aid Lebanon’s recovery.
On January 11, 2023, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati visited Damascus for discussions with Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. This historic visit marks the first by a Lebanese sitting premier in over a decade, and it was made possible by a formal invitation from al-Sharaa following a phone call the prior week. Mikati was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, landing at Damascus International Airport on a Lebanese commercial flight.
This meeting is particularly significant as Syria undergoes a political transition after the removal of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2022. Ahmed al-Sharaa, who played a critical role in Assad’s ousting, is now tasked with stabilizing the country and reestablishing its regional relations. In recent weeks, however, tensions have risen between the two nations, exacerbated by Syria’s restrictions on cross-border travel. These restrictions have resulted from security incidents along their shared border, which has also seen clashes between Syrian armed groups and Lebanese forces, leading to casualties among Lebanese military personnel.
Additionally, newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced plans for his inaugural foreign visit to Saudi Arabia, extending gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the invitation. Aoun’s election as the 14th President of Lebanon concluded a prolonged vacant presidential period, following the end of Michel Aoun’s presidency on October 31, 2022. Joseph Aoun, previously the army chief, is viewed favorably by both the United States and Saudi Arabia, crucial players in Lebanon’s post-conflict reconstruction efforts.
The visit of Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati to Syria is a pivotal moment in the historically complex relationship between Lebanon and Syria. This is the first visit by a Lebanese premier to Syria in more than ten years, illustrating a potential thaw in diplomatic relations following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. Al-Sharaa now presides over the transitional government in Syria, aiming to stabilize the nation amid rising tensions, including border security issues that have affected Lebanese-Syrian relations. Furthermore, the election of Joseph Aoun as President of Lebanon marks a significant political shift after a two-year leadership void, highlighting the importance of diplomatic engagement with neighboring countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, which plays a critical role in Middle Eastern geopolitics.
The visit of Prime Minister Najib Mikati to Damascus represents a significant step towards improving Lebanese-Syrian relations after a decade-long hiatus. Amid Syria’s political transition and mounting tensions along their shared border, this meeting offers a potential pathway for dialogue and stabilization. Furthermore, Joseph Aoun’s presidency signals a new chapter in Lebanese politics, with an emphasis on reestablishing international partnerships, particularly with Saudi Arabia, to support Lebanon’s reconstruction efforts post-conflict.
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