View of Syria from a house in Qanafez in Hermel, Feb. 13, 2025. (Credit: Illustrative image by Matthieu Karam/L'Orient-Le Jour)
The lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria and the Western diplomatic opening toward Damascus not only offer the new Syrian government ‘a new opportunity,’ but also promise to have a positive impact on Lebanon.This momentum could encourage Syrian migrants to return to their homeland, but it might also prompt Syria to follow through on its long-unfulfilled promises regarding the demarcation of its border with Lebanon.This process has become all the more essential as it is tied to the conclusive resolution of territorial disputes between Beirut and Tel Aviv, most notably the thorny issue of the Shebaa Farms, which are also claimed by Damascus, or at least by the former regime.“Trump’s decision is a major achievement. We hope that [Syrian President] will soon resolve the Shebaa [farms] issue so we can consider it behind us,” said Druze leader...
The lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria and the Western diplomatic opening toward Damascus not only offer the new Syrian government ‘a new opportunity,’ but also promise to have a positive impact on Lebanon.This momentum could encourage Syrian migrants to return to their homeland, but it might also prompt Syria to follow through on its long-unfulfilled promises regarding the demarcation of its border with Lebanon.This process has become all the more essential as it is tied to the conclusive resolution of territorial disputes between Beirut and Tel Aviv, most notably the thorny issue of the Shebaa Farms, which are also claimed by Damascus, or at least by the former regime.“Trump’s decision is a major achievement. We hope that [Syrian President] will soon resolve the Shebaa [farms] issue so we can consider it behind us,” said...