Lebanon, Syria Activate Security Coordination Against Terrorism, Smuggling

Lebanon and Syria are intensifying security cooperation along their shared border, moving from sporadic contacts to a more structured approach to counter growing threats. This shift was highlighted by a recent visit of a high-level Syrian security delegation to Lebanon's Interior Ministry.

The talks focused on direct intelligence sharing and closer field coordination against networks involved in smuggling weapons, drugs, and people. This enhanced cooperation follows previous, more limited efforts and comes as Syrian authorities have tightened their own border security, recently thwarting attempts to move weapons into Lebanon.

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I will personally follow up on this matter, particularly regarding information-sharing between the two sides. In the past, the Syrian side would seize weapons and drugs and the matter would be reported in the media. Now, we have begun coordination and information-sharing and have started defining the responsibilities of both the Lebanese and Syrian sides. The two countries will share security information obtained by either party.

Key issues discussed included border security, counterterrorism, cross-border crime, and the illicit movement of goods and individuals. Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmed al-Hajjar met with Syrian Assistant Interior Minister for Security Affairs Brigadier General Mulham al-Shantout. The meeting also addressed strengthening coordination between the relevant security agencies of both nations.

Al-Hajjar stated that the Syrian side showed "a high level of responsiveness" to the issues raised. Both sides agreed to establish clear communication channels between their interior ministries to ensure cooperation extends beyond formal discussions. This new mechanism aims to improve information sharing, moving beyond past instances where seizures were only reported in the media after the fact. Regular security meetings are planned to follow up on these efforts.

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a high level of responsiveness