(MENAFN) Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani asserted on Friday that a significant moment has emerged to reshape Syria’s ties with Lebanon, transitioning from a strained, security-centered relationship into one built on political and economic cooperation, according to a news agency.

Shaibani landed in Beirut early Friday, marking the initial visit by a Syrian Cabinet member from President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s administration to Lebanon.

“There is a historic opportunity to turn the relationship between Syria and Lebanon from a tense security relationship in the past into a political and economic partnership that benefits both the Syrian and Lebanese peoples,” he stated during a joint media briefing with Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raji.

The Syrian official underscored his country’s commitment to moving past previous tensions and fostering a bilateral relationship grounded in mutual respect and collective interests beneficial to both nations.

“This visit comes under the direction of President Ahmad al-Sharaa to affirm the depth of relations between the two countries and to embody the new Syria’s orientation based on mutual respect,” Shaibani continued.

He noted that Syria “is entering a stage of recovery and reconstruction, one of the main foundations of which is building political relations on the principles of reciprocal cooperation, respect for the sovereignty of neighboring states, and non-interference in their internal affairs.”

In closing, Shaibani expressed gratitude to Lebanon for sheltering Syrian refugees during recent years, despite its own financial and social challenges.

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