Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa describes it as the “tyranny of geography,” while many Lebanese refer to it as the “curse of geography.” But the truth of the matter is that Syria and Lebanon are neighbours and must find ways to work together.
The fall of the Assad regime delighted many in both Syria and Lebanon, as both nations suffered under its tyranny and repression. It was a regime with the blood of hundreds of thousands of Syrians and Lebanese on its hands.
The regime's ouster means Lebanon and Syria can now forge a relationship based on respect and equality. It shouldn't be that hard, given that the two nations not only share a border, but a shared history and close familial ties.
A new beginning?
Since assuming power, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has been at pains to stress that he wants good relations with his neighbours—Lebanon being at the top of that list. For their part, current and former Lebanese officials have been making contact with Damascus, requesting meetings with al-Sharaa.
But there are still many lingering issues between the countries that have yet to be resolved. Some date back to the post-independence period, such as the issue of border demarcation. Others arise from Syria’s past military presence in Lebanon. More recent disputes are rooted in the Syrian revolution and Hezbollah’s intervention on Assad’s side against the Syrians who rose up in March 2011.
