"If the interest is necessary to meet with Hizbullah, we are open to it," Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said in a statement after meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut's Ain al-Tineh.
"Today, there is no date for a meeting with Hizbullah according to the schedule of meetings, but if the interest of the two countries requires it in the future, we are open to that," al-Shaibani said, noting that the discussion focused on developing cooperation between Syria and Lebanon, and "the issue of Hizbullah was not discussed today."
The Lebanese channel Al-Jadeed quoted unnamed sources as saying that Al-Shaibani's visit to Ain al-Tineh carried a message of reassurance to the Lebanese, especially the Shiite component, and included an invitation to Berri to visit Damascus.
Lebanese President receives Shaibani
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, during his meeting with Shaibani at Baabda Palace, stressed that "Lebanon is committed to establishing brotherly relations between the two countries based on cooperation, coordination and non-interference in the internal affairs of both countries," adding, "We are keen on the stability of Syria just as Syria is keen on the stability of Lebanon."
He said: "I am satisfied with the coordination between the two countries, especially in the areas of border control, preventing the smuggling of people and weapons, and everything that is harmful to the security of the two countries."
Aoun added: "Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa assured me in more than one meeting and contact that Syria's role will not be the same as in the past, and that a new page has been opened between the two countries in which Syria will not be with one side against the other, but with all the Lebanese," Aoun said, welcoming the formation of a higher committee between the two countries to preserve the interests of both Lebanon and Syria.
For his part, Minister Al-Shaibani conveyed to President Aoun the greetings of President Al-Sharia and an official invitation to visit Damascus, stressing that his visit aims to strengthen relations between the two countries and activate coordination, especially in the economic field.
Syria and Lebanon sign agreement to form joint high committee
Syria and Lebanon signed an agreement to form the Syrian-Lebanese Higher Committee in the Lebanese capital Beirut during Minister Al-Shaibani's visit to Beirut.
Al-Shaibani said during a joint press conference with Salam after the signing: "This is the second visit to Lebanon, which translates Syria's position in support of it, and contributes to consolidating a sustainable and healthy relationship between the two countries, pointing out that the Joint Higher Committee will be a platform to coordinate the work of the concerned ministries, develop economic, investment and trade partnerships, and security understandings, in addition to expanding areas of cooperation."
Al-Shaibani stressed that the official Syrian position rejects all Israeli aggressions against Lebanon, and all the bombings and displacement that the Lebanese people have been subjected to during the recent period.
He explained that any discussion related to the political or security framework in Lebanon is a Lebanese matter determined by the Lebanese interest, and that the Lebanese government is responsible for this process, expressing his hope that any dialogue will take place in a calm atmosphere that puts Lebanon's interest first, in order to achieve sustainable stability, away from temporary solutions that do not stop the war and address its causes.
Al-Shaibani: We will meet with the Lebanese parties without exception
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates stressed that Syria holds Lebanon with all love and keenness to establish relations that go beyond the bad legacy suffered by the people of the two countries and open a new page of prosperous relations in a way that serves future generations, enhances the prosperity of the two countries, and contributes to stopping the state of instability and conflicts in the region.
"The message that President Al-Sharia carried to us confirms our faith in Lebanon in all its spectrums, and our desire to build a direct relationship with the official Lebanese state, and we meet with all parties without exception to confirm this trend," Al-Shaibani said.
With regard to the prisoners' file, Al-Shaibani explained that an agreement was reached with the Lebanese government during the past period on a judicial track that will result in the release or extradition of all Syrian prisoners in Lebanon, indicating that the file of non-Syrians who were arrested on the background of supporting the Syrian revolution is being discussed with the Lebanese side with all openness, expressing hope that a solution will be reached soon after the reasons that led to their arrest after the fall of the former regime have disappeared.
For his part, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that the visit of the Syrian delegation comes as a continuation of my visit to Damascus about two months ago, and reflects the speed of work to re-establish Lebanese-Syrian relations on the basis of cooperation between the two countries and common interests.
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