Beirut, July 2 (SANA)Lebanese officials have welcomed Syrian Foreign MinisterAsaad Hassan al-Shaibani‘s visit toBeirut, stressing the importance of opening a new chapter in Syrian-Lebanese relations based on mutual respect, sovereignty and cooperation in the interests of both peoples.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji said in a post on X that al-Shaibani’s visit “consecrated a new page in Lebanese-Syrian relations, based on equality, mutual respect, full recognition of each country’s sovereignty, and joint work driven by the shared interests of the two peoples”.

Rajji said al-Shaibani reaffirmed Syria’s full respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence, non-interference in its internal affairs, and a shared commitment to developing bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across various sectors, particularly in economic and development fields, as well as border control and combating smuggling. Lebanon is moving forward with building a balanced relationship with the new Syria on the basis of full sovereignty and good neighborliness, Rajji said.

Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Joumblatt stressed the importance of building good and balanced relations between Lebanon and Syria that serve the interests of both countries and enhance joint cooperation, calling for moving beyond the past and opening a new phase of political, economic and strategic relations.

Kataeb Party leader and MP Sami Gemayel welcomed al-Shaibani, expressing his party’s aspiration to open a new page between Lebanon and Syria based on political independence, economic integration, and mutual recognition of the two countries’ independence and sovereignty. Gemayel said the visit should mark the beginning of a new path in relations, adding that this approach had been the focus of a previous contact with PresidentAhmad al-Sharaaabout strengthening cooperation.

Agreement signed on joint higher committee

During the visit, Syria and Lebanon signed an agreement establishing theSyrian-Lebanese Higher Committee, a joint ministerial body tasked with strengthening bilateral cooperation across economic, security and infrastructure sectors.

The committee will be based on “the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, equality between the parties and non-interference in internal affairs”. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the committee will include relevant ministers from both countries and hold regular meetings to strengthen cooperation.

Al-Shaibani held a series of meetings in Beirut with President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and other political and religious leaders. President Aoun said the visit reflected a shared commitment to building healthy bilateral relations conducted through official state institutions rather than political groups.

The two countries also agreed to establish aLebanese-Syrian Business Council, which held its inaugural meeting on Thursday. Both sides have emphasized a “state-to-state” approach to future relations.