Lebanon says to form joint committees to address ‘outstanding issues’ with Syria

By Wassim Seifeddine and Betul Yilmaz

BEIRUT / ISTANBUL (AA) – Lebanon and Syria will establish joint committees to address outstanding issues between the two countries, including border demarcation and conditions of Syrian refugees, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Monday.

“The committees will address issues as the demarcation of land and maritime borders and the conditions of Syrian refugees in Lebanon for economic reasons,” he added during a meeting with a French Senate delegation in Beirut.

On Friday, the Lebanese army announced “extraordinary security measures” along the border with Syria following renewed clashes a day earlier.

The Lebanon-Syria border, which stretches approximately 375 kilometers (233 miles), is known for its complex geography and includes six official land crossings.

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December, Syria’s new leadership has focused on restoring internal stability and regaining control over its borders, especially with Lebanon.

The urgency for closer cooperation between Lebanon and Syria was heightened after a border incident in mid-March, when Syria’s Defense Ministry accused the Lebanese group Hezbollah of kidnapping and killing three of its soldiers, an accusation the group has denied.

-Weapons under state control

Aoun reiterated that all weapons will be brought under state control.

“This decision has been taken, and it is not permissible to return to the language of war,” he added.

Last week, the Lebanese president said in an interview that Hezbollah members could join the Lebanese army and "undergo integration training."

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, however, stressed that his group would not allow its disarmament.

"We will never allow anyone to disarm Hezbollah or the resistance; this idea must be erased from consideration," Qassem said.

A fragile ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since November, ending months of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated into a full-scale conflict in September.

Lebanese authorities have reported more than 2,764 Israeli violations of the truce, including the deaths of at least 194 victims and injuries to 485 others.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Israel refused to comply. It still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.