Border security agreement signed between Syria, Lebanon in Saudi Arabia

Defense ministers from Lebanon and Syria formalized a security agreement in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah aimed at addressing border threats, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.

Thursday’s meeting in Jeddah followed directives from Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and was attended by Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman, Syrian Minister of Defense Major General Murhaf Abu Qasra, Lebanese Minister of Defense Major General Michel Menassa, and their accompanying security delegations, to discuss issues of mutual interest aimed at achieving security and stability between Syria and Lebanon.

It follows recent border violence that resulted in 10 deaths.

SPA reported that Lebanon’s Menassa and Syria’s Abu Qasra convened for discussions “to discuss issues of mutual interest aimed at achieving security and stability between Syria and Lebanon.”

The agreement emphasizes “the strategic importance of border demarcation, the establishment of Syrian-Lebanese legal and specialized committees across various sectors, and the activation of coordination mechanisms to address security and military threats, particularly those originating along the border,” according to SPA.

They also agreed to hold a follow up meeting in Saudi Arabia in the future.

The Syrian and Lebanese ministers of defense expressed their gratitude to the Kingdom’s leadership and to the Saudi minister of defense for hosting the meeting, and asserted their satisfaction with the meeting’s outcomes.

A previously scheduled Damascus visit by Menassa on Wednesday was delayed at Syria’s request. According to a Syrian government source who spoke with AFP, the postponement was related to “preparations for the formation of a new government” in Damascus.

A Lebanese official, speaking anonymously, insisted the delay was “in no way related to tensions or conflicts.”

Had it proceeded, the visit would have marked the first trip to Damascus by a Lebanese cabinet member since Beirut formed its new government in February.

Tensions escalated in early March when Syrian authorities claimed that Hezbollah had kidnapped and killed three Syrian soldiers on Lebanese territory. While the Iran-supported group denied any involvement, subsequent cross-border confrontations resulted in seven Lebanese casualties.