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Mikati Visits Damascus in First Official Trip in 15 Years

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, along with his accompanying delegation, arrived at Damascus International Airport on a Lebanese Airways flight, according to a statement from an airport official to Agence France-Presse. This visit marks the first official trip to Damascus since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8.
Operations Director Ahmad al-Shar' confirmed that he discussed outstanding issues between the two countries with Mikati, emphasizing the importance of controlling the borders between Syria and Lebanon. He stated, "We will establish a new relationship between Syria and Lebanon," expressing their commitment to staying impartial towards the various Lebanese factions.
Al-Shar' added, "We support Lebanese consensus options, particularly regarding the election of General Joseph Aoun as president." He expressed hope for Mikati's re-election as Prime Minister, noting the existence of shared strategic interests between the two countries and underscoring the necessity of long-term cooperation.
During a joint press conference with Mikati, al-Shar' called on the Syrian and Lebanese peoples to be given a chance to address past issues, mentioning discussions about Syrian deposits in Lebanese banks.
For his part, Mikati expressed his pleasure at visiting Damascus, stating that he discussed bilateral relations with al-Shar' and wished for stability and peace in Syria. He noted that "Syria represents Lebanon's natural gateway to the Arab world, and as long as it is well, Lebanon will be well."
Mikati also stressed the need to address the Syrian displacement crisis and the return of refugees to their homeland, as Syria begins to regain its stability. He pointed out Syria's readiness to follow up on the displacement issue, highlighting what was discussed regarding securing the borders between the two countries.
Furthermore, Mikati emphasized the importance of friendly relations between Lebanon and Syria, asserting that the priority is to delineate the land and maritime borders between the two nations, with plans to form a specialized committee to control the borders and prevent smuggling.
He noted that the Syrian side is working to establish a dedicated authority for criminal matters and to search for missing persons, affirming that they will provide information on the required names.
Thus, Mikati's visit to Damascus has witnessed a strengthening of the relationship between the two sides in a rare step after 15 years.
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Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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