Lebanon and Syria have signed a Lebanon Syria prisoner transfer agreement that allows the transfer of around 300 convicted Syrian nationals to Damascus to complete their remaining sentences.
Officials from both sides described the step as a formal and significant move to address one of the most complex judicial files between the two countries.
The agreement comes amid declared efforts to open a new chapter in bilateral relations after years of political strain.
Key Terms of the Judicial Agreement
According to statements made during a joint press conference at the Grand Serail in Beirut, the agreement covers Syrian convicts who have met specific legal conditions.
Lebanese officials said those included are prisoners who have served ten years or more in Lebanese jails.
Who Is Included and Who Is Excluded
Mohammad al Ahmad, director of Arab affairs at Syria’s foreign ministry, said the agreement applies to all felony convictions except rape and murder cases.
He added that prisoners transferred to Syria have the right to request a retrial under Syrian law, following the completion of consular and administrative procedures.
Official Statements from Beirut and Damascus
Lebanon’s Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri said the agreement reflects a shared political will based on mutual trust and respect.
He confirmed that Lebanon’s cabinet approved the deal unanimously and that implementation would begin immediately.
Syrian Justice Minister Mazhar al Wais said the prisoners’ file is legally complex and cannot be resolved through a single comprehensive agreement.
However, he described the deal as an important step toward justice and a foundation for future judicial cooperation.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani called the agreement a historic milestone toward closing this file and building strategic relations that serve both countries.
Judicial and Political Background
Lebanon’s prisons hold more than 2,200 Syrian detainees and convicts arrested on various charges, including security related cases.
The issue has been one of the main obstacles to reorganizing bilateral relations since the removal of the Assad family’s rule in December 2024.
Parallel Steps by Lebanon
Mitri said Lebanon’s cabinet is set to abolish the Lebanese Syrian Higher Council, established in 1991 and long associated with Syrian influence in Lebanon.
He added that upcoming steps include reviewing agreements signed during the period of Syrian tutelage and advancing land and maritime border demarcation.
Conclusion:
The judicial agreement marks a practical step toward resolving the Syrian prisoners’ file and signals a structured approach to redefining Lebanon Syria relations on new terms.
