Aoun to Syrian Business Delegation: Lebanon's Stability Is Tied to Syria's, and Vice Versa

Beirut – Mansour Shaaban

President General Joseph Aoun welcomed the expanded Syrian delegation visiting Lebanon, headed by Minister of Economy Muhammad Nidal al-Shaar, on the occasion of the Lebanese-Syrian Investment Forum in Beirut, held under the patronage of President Aoun and represented by Minister of Economy and Trade Dr. Amer al-Bassat. He conveyed his greetings to his counterpart, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and praised the positions that “call for consolidating relations between the two countries on the basis of complementarity, balance, mutual respect, and non-interference in internal affairs.” He stated that “these principles were the starting point of the discussions during our first meeting with President al-Sharaa.”

Aoun considered this visit “an indicator of the soundness of relations between the two countries,” noting that he attaches great importance to the idea he proposed at the Arab League and in Iraq regarding economic complementarity in the region, similar to the European Union. He added, “There are significant capacities in the region that we must activate through balanced relations and mutual respect. Lebanon and Syria hold a distinguished position on the Mediterranean, which qualifies them to be a suitable alternative in the event of tensions or problems in the region.” He continued, “This is what I conveyed to U.S. President Donald Trump.”

Referring to the “numerous challenges faced by both Syria and Lebanon,” President Aoun emphasized that “Lebanon’s stability is part of Syria’s stability, and vice versa. We must work on security and military stability, but also on economic stability, which enhances the consolidation of the situation.” He observed, “In every crisis, there is an opportunity that must be leveraged for complementarity and development.”

For his part, Minister al-Shaar conveyed President al-Sharaa’s greetings to “President Aoun, the government, and the brotherly Lebanese people,” stressing that “this meeting carries great importance and was long anticipated by the current Syrian authorities.” He said, “The former regime held hundreds of meetings with former Lebanese presidents, but we aspire to meet with sincerity, love, and loyalty. With your meeting today, this dream has been realized.”

He explained, “We come to Lebanon today with hearts full of longing and nostalgia. We were deprived of this relationship for 60 years. Now, we are opening a new page—a page of peace, love, sincerity, loyalty, and balance in relations. We fully recognize that you and His Excellency President al-Sharaa have laid the first cornerstone of a balanced and fair relationship between the two countries.” Al-Shaar reassured that “our presence is not to compete economically or commercially with the Lebanese as Syrian companies, because we cannot compete with a people who are part of us and we are part of them. We must establish a strong economic system and then move forward to the world as an important pathway, rather than remaining a fragile base as is the current situation.”

In New York, Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam continued his meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. He met with the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Nabil Fahmy, in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Youssef Raji, and stressed the “importance of a unified Arab stance in light of the current regional circumstances, and the coordination of Arab positions and efforts to contribute to de-escalation and protecting the security and stability of the region.” Minister Raji met with his European counterparts, and discussions with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul focused on the period following the end of the UNIFIL mission. Raji clarified the Lebanese government’s position calling for the continued international presence in the south, while Wadephul praised the “courage of the Lebanese government in its decisions to confine weapons to the state’s hands” and expressed hope that it would “complete this path until it is fully achieved.”