Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, greeting the crowds gathered in Tripoli on July 2, 2026. (Credit: Fathi al-Masri/AFP)
Videos have been circulating on social media since Thursday evening. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani is seen hoisted onto supporters' shoulders by a cheering crowd in Tripoli. The gathering reflected the desire of many in the city to definitively turn the page on its bloody history with the Assad regime, which was toppled in December 2024. At a time when Damascus insists it wants state-to-state relations with Beirut, Shaibani also demonstrated the popularity of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa's government among many of Lebanon's Sunnis. More than 1,500 people took part in the public welcome for the Syrian foreign minister. "This is an expression of our joy after the end of the Assad era, which committed crimes and spilled much blood in the city," Tripoli MP Ashraf Rifi said. Beyond the headlines From...
Videos have been circulating on social media since Thursday evening. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani is seen hoisted onto supporters' shoulders by a cheering crowd in Tripoli. The gathering reflected the desire of many in the city to definitively turn the page on its bloody history with the Assad regime, which was toppled in December 2024. At a time when Damascus insists it wants state-to-state relations with Beirut, Shaibani also demonstrated the popularity of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa's government among many of Lebanon's Sunnis. More than 1,500 people took part in the public welcome for the Syrian foreign minister. "This is an expression of our joy after the end of the Assad era, which committed crimes and spilled much blood in the city," Tripoli MP Ashraf Rifi said. Beyond the headlines From...
