Lebanon, Syria Strike Prisoner Transfer Deal in Bid to Mend Fractured Ties

BEIRUT — In a step aimed at easing longstanding tensions, the Lebanese government on Friday ratified a landmark agreement to transfer Syrian nationals serving prison sentences in Lebanon back to Syrian custody. The deal, approved during a Cabinet session, signals a cautious effort to redefine a historically fraught relationship, now unfolding under Syria's new interim leadership.

The prisoner issue has loomed large over bilateral talks, complicating efforts to reset ties after the dramatic fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. His replacement, former insurgent leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, now heads an interim government in Damascus, creating a shifting geopolitical landscape for neighboring Lebanon.

Relations between the two countries are layered with mutual resentment—stemming from Syria's military presence in Lebanon until 2005 and the later involvement of Lebanon's Hezbollah in Syria's civil war in support of Assad. Central to recent disputes has been the status of an estimated 2,000 Syrians in Lebanese detention, about 800 of whom are held on security-related charges, often without formal trials. While Damascus had repeatedly requested their repatriation, Lebanese judicial authorities had insisted on case-by-case reviews, refusing blanket transfers for those accused of attacks.

Friday's agreement appears to break that deadlock. Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri confirmed that approximately 300 prisoners will be repatriated under the newly approved framework. Information Minister Paul Morcos noted, however, that other sensitive matters remain unresolved, including the fate of Lebanese citizens who disappeared into Syrian prisons during the Assad era and the ongoing border demarcation process.

Ahead of the Cabinet vote, demonstrators gathered near the government palace in Beirut, demanding amnesty for Lebanese prisoners held on similar charges—including some who fought against Assad in Syria. Among those cited was Sunni cleric Ahmad al-Assir, imprisoned for his role in deadly 2013 clashes with the Lebanese army. "The state found solutions for Syrian detainees, whom many consider heroes of their revolution," said protester Khaled Al-Bobbo. "But there are Lebanese in the same legal limbo. We demand justice for our people, too."

Analysis: This transfer deal represents more than a logistical arrangement—it is a carefully negotiated confidence-building measure. For Lebanon, it reduces strain on its overcrowded prison system and addresses Syrian diplomatic pressure. For Syria's interim government, securing the return of detainees bolsters its domestic legitimacy. Yet, the move risks backlash from Lebanese communities who view Syrian insurgents as security threats, and from families of missing Lebanese who seek answers rather than prisoner exchanges.

Voices from the Region:

• Maya Haddad, Political Analyst, American University of Beirut: "This is a pragmatic, if incomplete, step. It clears one obstacle but leaves deeper wounds unaddressed—particularly the issue of the disappeared. True reconciliation requires transparency on both sides."
• Samir Farah, Retired Diplomat: "In diplomacy, you start where you can. This agreement creates a channel for dialogue that hasn't existed in years. It's a necessary, though fragile, foundation."
• Rana El-Khoury, Human Rights Advocate: "This is a disgraceful bargain that trades prisoners like commodities. Where is the justice for Lebanese families who still don't know if their sons are alive in Syrian jails? The government is prioritizing political convenience over human rights."
• Omar Nassif, Editor-in-Chief, Levant News Digest: "The deal reflects the new reality in Damascus. With al-Sharaa's government seeking international recognition, such agreements help normalize its status. Lebanon, in turn, gains a negotiating partner less burdened by the Assad legacy."

— Reporting by Fadi Tawil in Beirut