Lebanon and Syria Defence Ministers Convene in Jeddah to Address Border Security
Lebanon and Syria’s defence ministers met in Jeddah to discuss border security following recent deadly clashes. A ceasefire was signed, along with agreements for border demarcation and coordination to tackle security challenges. Despite these efforts, underlying tensions remain, indicating possible conflicts ahead.
The defence ministers of Lebanon and Syria convened in Jeddah to address border security issues, following recent clashes that heightened tensions along their shared border. The meeting, attended by Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and his counterparts Michel Menassa and Murhaf Abu Qasra, resulted in a signed ceasefire and the establishment of initiatives to enhance border demarcation as well as coordination mechanisms between the two nations to address security challenges.
Both parties agreed to form legal and specialized committees aimed at implementing these initiatives and pledged to reconvene in Saudi Arabia for follow-up discussions. The Saudi Press Agency emphasized the kingdom’s commitment to supporting security and stability in both Lebanon and Syria, seeking to bolster relationships between the neighboring countries amid underlying tensions.
The initial meeting was meant to take place in Syria, but delays occurred as new security appointments were about to be announced. Escalation along the Syrian-Lebanese border included clashes resulting in fatalities among both Syrian forces and Lebanese civilians, indicating that, despite the newly agreed ceasefire, foundational issues remain unaddressed and could lead to further conflict in the region.
The recent meeting in Jeddah between Lebanese and Syrian defence ministers marks a pivotal effort to enhance border security and stability between the two nations. Although a ceasefire has been agreed upon and initiatives established to improve coordination, the persistence of unresolved underlying issues suggests potential challenges ahead. Continued dialogue and cooperation will be essential for maintaining peace in a historically tumultuous relationship.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
