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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.
