JEDDAH, March 28, 2025 – The defense ministers of Lebanon and Syria met in Jeddah on Thursday, according to Asharq.
The Syrian delegation was led by Murhaf Abu Qasra, while the Lebanese delegation was headed by Michel Menassa.
The two ministers discussed improving border security and resolving border demarcation issues between their countries.
Border tensions escalated in March after Syrian authorities accused the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah of kidnapping and killing three Syrian soldiers, a claim the group denied.
Subsequent cross-border clashes resulted in the deaths of seven Lebanese.
In a statement, Saudi Arabia expressed support for resolving differences between Syria and Lebanon through political and diplomatic dialogue, while maintaining sovereignty, stability, and international law.
The Kingdom also stressed the importance of security coordination, particularly regarding border control, to address shared challenges such as smuggling and armed group influences.