A delegation from the Lebanese Forces, one of Lebanon’s main Christian political parties, held talks in Damascus on Tuesday with Syria’s Information Minister Hamza Mustafa, Lebanese media reported.
According to MTV, the delegation included Lebanese MP Melhem Riachi, a former information minister, and the party’s head of foreign relations, Tony Darwish.
The visit is notable given the Lebanese Forces’ long-standing opposition to the now-defunct Syrian regime's political and military influence in Lebanon, dating back to Syria’s decades-long presence there during and after the Lebanese civil war. The party has historically positioned itself as a strong critic of Damascus and of Syrian-backed actors inside Lebanon, including Hezbollah.
Syria formally withdrew its troops from Lebanon in 2005 following mass protests, but the relationship between the two countries has remained politically sensitive. Any direct engagement between Lebanese Forces officials and Syrian authorities therefore marks a significant departure from past hostility and reflects shifting regional and domestic dynamics following political changes in Syria after the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad.
While no details were immediately released about the substance of the talks, the meeting comes amid broader efforts by Lebanese political actors to reassess relations with Damascus, particularly on issues related to refugees, border security, and regional realignments.
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