Riyadh (TDI): Syria and Lebanon signed a deal emphasizing the strategic importance of demarcating the borders between the two countries.
The defense ministers of Lebanon and Syria met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Thursday to coordinate and enhance collaboration on security and military issues.
The Syrian delegation was led by Murhaf Abu Qasra and the Lebanese delegation was headed by Michel Menassa.
The sides will form legal and specialized committees in a number of sectors, and will activate bilateral coordination mechanisms to tackle security and military challenges, particularly those that may arise on the border area.
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, who facilitated the negotiations, said he hoped the deal marks a new phase in ties between the two neighbors.
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The ministers expressed satisfaction with the meeting and agreed to hold a follow-up discussion in Saudi Arabia.
“Pleased with the key deal inked by the Syrian and Lebanese defense ministers during their meeting in the Kingdom, hosted upon the leadership’s directive, as part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote security, stability and development of both nations and the region,” Prince Khalid bin Salman said in a statement.
Border tensions flared up earlier this month after the new authorities in Syria accused Lebanese armed group Hezbollah of abducting three soldiers into Lebanon and murdering them.
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Hezbollah, which fought alongside the forces of toppled Syrian president Bashar Assad, denied involvement.
Cross-border clashes that followed left 7 Lebanese dead.
In a statement, Saudi Arabia said it supported Syria and Lebanon resolving their issues through political and diplomatic dialogue while respecting sovereignty, stability, and international law, according to Asharq.
