Lebanon's Caretaker Prime Minister Meets with Syria's Interim Leader in Damascus
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Damascus, Jan 11 (NationPress) Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has landed in Damascus on Saturday for discussions with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, representing the first official visit by a serving Lebanese premier to Syria in more than ten years, as reported by Syrian Al-Watan Online newspaper.
Mikati was joined by a high-level delegation, including Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib and prominent security officials, arriving at Damascus International Airport on a Lebanese commercial flight. This visit was prompted by a formal invitation from al-Sharaa, which was communicated during a phone conversation last week.
The discussions occur amid a significant political transformation in Syria, following the removal of former President Bashar al-Assad in December. Al-Sharaa, who spearheaded the coalition responsible for al-Assad's ousting, is now tasked with efforts to stabilize Syria and restore its regional connections.
In recent weeks, tensions between the neighboring nations have escalated. Syria has recently enacted restrictions on cross-border movements after security incidents along their shared border. Previously, Lebanese nationals could travel to Syria without a visa, using only identification.
The border area has also experienced several clashes between Syrian armed factions and Lebanese forces, leading to casualties among Lebanese military personnel.
Additionally, Lebanon's newly elected President Joseph Aoun announced on Saturday his plans to visit Saudi Arabia following an invitation from Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
The invitation was extended during a phone conversation with Aoun, as stated by the Lebanese presidency. Aoun accepted the invitation, marking this visit as his inaugural foreign trip as President, emphasizing the kingdom's essential role in assisting Lebanon.
During their conversation, the Saudi Crown Prince congratulated Aoun on his presidential election. The two leaders also discussed recent events and strategies to enhance bilateral relations.
Aoun, a former army chief, was elected as the 14th President of Lebanon on Thursday, securing 99 out of 128 parliamentary votes in the second round of the presidential voting process.
This victory concluded more than two years of a vacant presidential seat in Lebanon.
The political divide in Lebanon resulted in an unoccupied presidential office following the conclusion of former President Michel Aoun's term on October 31, 2022. The parliament had been unable to elect a president during 12 electoral sessions. A caretaker government has been overseeing the country during this presidential void.
Joseph Aoun, aged 60, who is not related to Michel Aoun, is widely viewed as the favored candidate by the United States and Saudi Arabia, whose backing will be vital for Lebanon's reconstruction after a 14-month conflict involving Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, according to analysts, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
