Syria’s Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais (L) and Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Metri converse throughout a press convention following the signing of a prisoner swap settlement, on the Grand Serail (Authorities Palace) in Beirut on February 6, 2026.
| Photograph Credit score: AFP
Lebanon inked an settlement with Syria on Friday (February 6, 2026) at hand some 300 convicts over to Damascus, a transfer seen as key to serving to flip a brand new web page in ties between the nations.
Overcrowded Lebanese prisons maintain greater than 2,200 Syrians held on numerous fees.
A lot of them are nonetheless awaiting trial, whereas tons of accused of “terrorism” or associated offences, together with assaults on Lebanese forces have been introduced earlier than navy courts.
Others are in custody for alleged membership in jihadist or armed teams that have been against the now ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, who was supported by Lebanon’s Hezbollah group through the Syrian civil struggle.
Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri and Syrian Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais introduced the signing of the settlement at a press convention in Beirut.
Wais referred to as it “an essential step on the trail to justice in addressing the state of affairs of convicts who’ve spent a very long time in jail and whose instances have been among the many most advanced legally”.
The settlement covers round 300 convicts, whereas the remaining detainees require “lengthy procedures” earlier than an identical settlement on them could be reached, Wais stated.
The deal reinforces “the belief and political will that already exists between the 2 nations”, he stated, expressing hope it will assist enhance ties.
Lebanese authorities have stated that the convicts who meet the necessities, together with having spent a minimum of 10 years behind bars, shall be handed over to Syria the place they are going to serve the remainder of their sentences.
Mr. Mitri advised AFP that cooperation prolonged past the problem of convicts, with officers working to “resolve all frequent points that may set bilateral relations proper”.
Step one following the deal’s signing could be a cupboard choice to “abolish the Lebanese-Syrian Greater Council”, an Assad-era physique.
Authorities can even evaluation “unfair agreements concluded through the time of Syrian tutelage in Lebanon, in addition to the demarcation of the land and maritime borders”, Mr. Mitri added.
Syria’s military entered Lebanon in 1976 as a part of an Arab power that was supposed to place an finish to the Lebanese civil struggle which started a yr earlier.
As an alternative Syria turned the dominant navy and political power in Lebanon, looming over all points of Lebanese life.
Syrian forces solely withdrew from the nation in 2005 after monumental strain following the assassination of former prime minister Rafic Hariri, a killing attributed to Damascus and its ally Hezbollah.
Revealed – February 06, 2026 09:18 pm IST