Syria and Lebanon have signed a key agreement on border demarcation and security cooperation enhancement in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The agreement came during talks hosted by Saudi Arabia on Thursday, upon the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman.
Syria-Lebanon Talks
On Thursday, March 27, 2025, Jeddah hosted a meeting that convened the Syrian Minister of Defense, Major General Murhaf Abu Qasra; the Lebanese Minister of Defense, Major General Michel Menassa; and their accompanying security delegations.
The Saudi Minister of Defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman, also attended the meeting, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
During the meeting, both sides discussed issues of mutual concern aimed at boosting security and stability between Syria and Lebanon.
Security Agreement
The two sides signed an agreement that stresses the strategic importance of border demarcation between Syria and Lebanon and the formation of Syrian-Lebanese legal and specialized committees in different fields.
Furthermore, they agreed to activate coordination mechanisms to address any security or military challenges, particularly those originating along the border. Both sides also agreed to hold a follow-up meeting in Saudi Arabia in the future.
Saudi Arabia’s Peace Efforts
In the light of this, the Saudi Defense Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, expressed his pleasure with this key agreement. In a post on X, he said that the Syrian-Lebanese meeting in Jeddah aligns with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote security, stability and development of both countries and the region.
Moreover, Prince Khalid expressed hope that this agreement will herald a new phase in Syria-Lebanon relations based on mutual cooperation and constructive dialogue that fulfills both countries’ aspirations while maintaining their security and stability.
Syrian-Lebanese Borders
The Syrian and Lebanese Defense Ministers expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia’s leadership and Prince Khalid bin Salman for hosting the meeting. They also emphasized their satisfaction with the outcomes of the meeting.
In early March, tensions escalated between Syria and Lebanon after Syrian authorities accused Hezbollah-affiliated militants of crossing into its territory, kidnapping three soldiers and killing them on Lebanese territory, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The Lebanese government said the three killed were smugglers, while Hezbollah denied involvement. The subsequent clashes resulted in 7 Lebanese killed and 52 wounded.
Over the past weeks, Syrian and Lebanese authorities have been closing smuggling routes along the 400-kilometers unmarked border.
