By Laith Al-jnaidi and Rania Abu Shamala
DAMASCUS/ISTANBUL (AA) – Syria and Lebanon on held a preparatory meeting on Monday to discuss the issue of detainees and related bilateral agreements.
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the meeting between judicial and security committees addressed the conditions of detainees, bilateral agreements and the outcomes of a previous meeting between the two sides.
The news agency, however, did not specify the venue of the meeting.
On Sept. 1, Beirut hosted a Syrian-Lebanese meeting to discuss shared issues between the two countries, particularly the case of Syrian detainees and missing persons in Lebanon.
In April, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus and discussed a host of issues, including Syrian detainees in Lebanon.
The Lebanese-Syrian border has long been the subject of disputes over the smuggling of people and goods, while the issue of Syrian detainees in Lebanese prisons remains one of the most contentious issues between the two sides.
Border demarcation has also remained unresolved, with no final agreement reached despite repeated attempts.
Recently, the private Syria TV cited informed sources as saying that questions remain over the fate of more than 2,000 Syrians detained in Lebanon, most without trial since the start of the Syrian uprising in March 2011. Lebanese authorities say they are held on pending charges but have not disclosed numbers or accusations.
Since Bashar al-Assad’s ouster in late 2024, Syria’s new administration has pursued political and economic reforms while promoting social cohesion and working to expand cooperation with regional and international partners.