The governments of Lebanon and Syria signed an important agreement in Beirut to transfer convicted Syrian citizens from Lebanese prisons to Syria to serve their sentences at home. The signing ceremony took place in the government building in the presence of Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Syrian Minister of Justice Mazhar al-Wais, as well as other senior officials from both countries. This document, approved by the Lebanese cabinet at the end of January, establishes an official repatriation procedure.
The agreement initially covers about 300 convicted Syrians. Syrian Minister of Justice Mazhar al-Wais called the signing "an important step toward justice," allowing the fates of these people to be settled. The parties also agreed to prepare a separate plan and a subsequent agreement for those detained Syrians who are not covered by the current document, including complex cases of people who disappeared without a trace after many years of detention.
Lebanese representatives stressed that implementing the agreement will help reduce the catastrophic overcrowding of local prisons. Lebanese Information Minister Paul Marcus noted that the country is counting on an exchange mechanism with Syria to improve the situation in the penitentiary system. He also linked this initiative to a broader context — plans to facilitate the return of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees in cooperation with the UNHCR.
The Syrian side presented the agreement as the result of targeted efforts to protect the rights and dignity of its citizens held in custody abroad. Minister al-Wais said that resolving these judicial and humanitarian cases is a priority for Damascus. The process was accompanied by intensive official visits and negotiations between the two countries over recent months.
The signing was the culmination of a period of active diplomatic contacts aimed at normalizing and improving bilateral relations. Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek al-Metri said there is now "a real opportunity to build relations entirely different from the past," based on mutual respect and equality. Authorities in both countries have repeatedly stated that the issue of prisoners and detainees is a top priority for them.
The current agreement is seen as the start of a process. Its practical impact will depend on subsequent legal and logistical work to transfer the prisoners. The parties are expected to continue working on resolving cases of other categories of detainees and to develop cooperation, including with countries such as Qatar, which is helping to restore areas in northern Syria to enable the safe return of people.
Comments on the news
What is the historical context of Lebanon–Syria relations that led to the need to "build relations entirely different from the past"? - Historically, Syria exerted significant military and political influence over Lebanon, including the presence of its troops from 1976 to 2005. This created relations that many Lebanese perceived as a violation of sovereignty. The need for new relations stems from Lebanon’s desire for full independence and equal partnership after the civil war and Syrian intervention.
Which areas in northern Syria are being rebuilt with Qatar’s help, and why is this linked to returns? - Qatar is helping to rebuild predominantly devastated areas in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, which suffered heavily during the conflict. Rebuilding infrastructure (housing, schools, hospitals) is directly linked to returns because it creates minimum living and safety conditions that encourage refugees and internally displaced persons to go back to their homes.
How is the issue of "people who disappeared without a trace after many years of detention" connected to the broader context of the Syrian conflict and human rights? - This problem reflects systematic human rights violations by all parties to the Syrian conflict, including arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and the absence of due process. It highlights a deep humanitarian crisis in which thousands of families do not know the fate of relatives for decades, exacerbating societal trauma and hindering national reconciliation.
Full version: دمشق وبيروت توقّعان اتفاقية لنقل مئات السجناء السوريين من لبنان