Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasized on Friday the importance of lifting international sanctions on Syria to enhance stability in Lebanon and the region as a whole and to facilitate the return of displaced persons.
He made these remarks during a virtual summit organized by France at the Élysée Palace while on an official visit to Paris. The meeting brought together five leaders: French President Emmanuel Macron, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Syrian President Ahmad al-Shareh, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulidis, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Aoun stressed the need to strengthen security coordination between Beirut and Damascus in response to shared threats, according to a statement from the Syrian presidency. He also expressed his support for Syria’s reconstruction and political reform efforts, noting that Lebanon is also suffering from the repercussions of the conflict and that cooperation between the two countries is essential to overcoming regional challenges.
For his part, President Shareh highlighted the growing security challenges facing Syria, particularly along its southern border with Israel. He denounced the Israeli presence on Syrian territory as a constant threat to regional peace and security. Shareh also reiterated his rejection of Israeli attacks and asserted that Syria would continue to defend its sovereign rights, stressing that Arab and international support is no longer an option but a necessity. Additionally, he called for the lifting of Western economic sanctions, condemning their devastating impact on Syria’s economy and living conditions.
President Macron stated that lifting sanctions had become essential to facilitate political progress in Syria. He expressed his willingness to explore mechanisms to ease certain economic restrictions to stabilize the region.
The Greek and Cypriot leaders also voiced their support for Syria’s efforts to combat terrorism along its borders, emphasizing that lifting sanctions is a key step toward strengthening regional economic cooperation.
President Christodoulidis underscored the importance of enhanced cooperation on transitional justice and respect for maritime law. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mitsotakis highlighted the need for greater collaboration among Mediterranean countries to curb illegal migration. He also reaffirmed Greece’s readiness to contribute to energy projects in Syria and the broader Middle East.
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