Lebanese Minister of Finance, Yassine Jaber, with his Syrian counterpart, Mohammed Barnieh, in Jaber's office in Beirut on Nov. 12, 2026. (Photo released by the Lebanese Ministry of Finance)
Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Barnieh informed his Lebanese counterpart, Yassine Jaber, on Wednesday of Syria's wish to welcome Lebanese business people to contribute to investment projects, "given Lebanon's successes in human capital," according to a summary of the meeting between the two ministers in Beirut published by Jaber's team.
This statement was made "as Syria begins to regain its role and stability, and wants Lebanese brothers to take part in its recovery and reconstruction process," Barnieh added.
The two senior officials met on the sidelines of the Arab Forum on Public Finance and Budget, inaugurated Wednesday by Yassine Jaber at the United Nations House in Beirut and set to continue Thursday. According to the summary, their meeting focused on the state of Lebanese-Syrian relations and ways to strengthen and develop bilateral cooperation in several fields of investment.
Prospects in Syria have radically changed since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, which was overthrown on Dec. 8, 2024 by a jihadist coalition that includes current President Ahmad al-Sharaa's government.
The cost of rebuilding the country, devastated by thirteen years of war that destroyed its infrastructure, could surpass $216 billion, according to a World Bank report published in October. Following the regime change, Washington has provisionally suspended most sanctions imposed on Damascus under the Caesar Act, enacted in 2019 during the first term of U.S. President Donald Trump, who was re-elected in 2024.
In parallel, Jaber met with Qatar's ambassador to Lebanon, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, for talks dedicated to strengthening relations between the two countries.
Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon, demolishes buildings in Bint Jbeil