Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa and Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra have signed an agreement to demarcate the border between the two countries, following talks that began in the Saudi city of Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reports. Saudi Arabia took on the role of mediator who facilitated the meeting between the defense ministers of Syria and Lebanon, during which they signed an agreement that underscores the critical importance of border demarcation. Specifically, this agreement entails the establishment of legal and technical committees to improve coordination on security and military issues, particularly regarding the border, and plans for a follow-up meeting in the Kingdom in the near future. Saudi Arabia affirmed its full support for the agreement that will ensure security and stability in the region, SPA reports.
The border between Lebanon and Syria is 375 km long and, despite efforts made over the years at the national and international levels, it is still not demarcated. The signed agreement represents a concrete step to ease tensions between the two countries fueled by the outbreak of armed clashes that took place in the village of Hawsh al-Sayyid Ali, on the Syrian-Lebanese border on the southern side of Homs, between local Lebanese clans of the Bekka and the Syrian armed forces led by HTS, on March 17. The conflict in fact reflects the lack of clarity in the demarcation of the borders of both countries that during the Assad era became more destabilized as this section of the border was used by pro-Iranian militias and the Lebanese Hezbollah, under the aegis of the Fourth Armored Division of Maher al Assad (Assad’s brother), as crossings for the smuggling of weapons and drugs, especially in the area where the clashes occurred. The management of the smuggling operations was entrusted to members of powerful local clans who played a key role in local political and social affairs. With the fall of Assad’s government, they are left without a key ally. Furthermore, with the rise to power of new governments in Syria and Lebanon, their respective political representatives have spoken of the need to demarcate the border. Before these clashes broke out, the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party in Lebanon, Walid Jumblatt, said: “We are committed to rebuilding relations between Lebanon and Syria on new foundations, far from previous experiences, and to demarcating the land and maritime borders.”
Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa was scheduled to visit the Syrian capital Damascus on Wednesday, March 26, but the visit was canceled. On March 27, the two ministers traveled to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where they held talks in the presence of Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman and signed the agreement. After the signing of the agreement, Lebanese President Michel Aoun confirmed a start of joint resolution of issues of common interest, related to the difficulties at the land and maritime borders with Syria, as well as the refugee dossier.
In conclusion, this agreement represents a concrete step in defining the territorial borders of Syria and Lebanon that can lead to a new historical phase in relations between the two countries, after the fall of the Assad government. However, this step will not necessarily guarantee a definitive ceasefire between the clans linked to Hezbollah and the forces of the Syrian government. In any case, the full support of stability in both countries by Saudi Arabia is a key factor in strengthening regional security.
Elisabetta Papa e Cristina Uccello
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