March 31, 2025 – Lebanon and Syria's defense ministers have signed a security agreement in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, aimed at addressing border threats, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The meeting in Jeddah, held on Thursday, followed directives from Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It was attended by Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman, Syrian Minister of Defense Major General Murhaf Abu Qasra, Lebanese Minister of Defense Major General Michel Menassa, and their respective security delegations. The discussions focused on mutual interests to achieve security and stability between Syria and Lebanon.
This agreement comes after recent border violence that led to 10 deaths.
According to SPA, Menassa and Abu Qasra met to discuss matters of mutual interest, focusing on security and stability between the two countries.
The agreement highlights the "strategic importance of border demarcation" and calls for the establishment of Syrian-Lebanese legal and specialized committees in various sectors. It also emphasizes the activation of coordination mechanisms to address security and military threats, particularly those originating from the border.
Additionally, both sides agreed to schedule a follow-up meeting in Saudi Arabia.
The defense ministers of Syria and Lebanon expressed their gratitude to Saudi Arabia's leadership and the Saudi Minister of Defense for hosting the meeting and stated their satisfaction with the results.
A planned visit by Menassa to Damascus on Wednesday was delayed at Syria's request. A Syrian government source told AFP that the delay was due to "preparations for the formation of a new government" in Damascus.
An anonymous Lebanese official insisted that the delay had "no connection to tensions or conflicts."
Had the visit taken place, it would have marked the first trip to Damascus by a Lebanese cabinet member since Beirut formed its new government in February.
Tensions rose in early March when Syrian authorities accused Hezbollah of kidnapping and killing three Syrian soldiers on Lebanese soil. Although the Iran-backed group denied any involvement, subsequent cross-border clashes resulted in seven Lebanese casualties.