Lebanon and Syria sign prisoners transfer agreement

Lebanon and Syria have signed a bilateral agreement allowing the transfer of convicted prisoners from the country where a verdict was issued to the prisoner’s country of nationality.

The agreement, signed at the Grand Serail in Beirut in the presence of Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, marks a significant development in judicial and political cooperation between the two neighboring states. Officials from both countries described the accord as a humanitarian and legal step that reflects renewed diplomatic engagement and aims to address one of the most sensitive files in Lebanese-Syrian relations.

Details of the agreement

The agreement was signed on behalf of Lebanon by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri and on behalf of Syria by Syrian Minister of Justice Mazhar al-Wais. The ceremony was attended by Lebanese Minister of Justice Adel Nassar, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers Judge Mahmoud Makkiyeh, members of the judiciary, and an official Syrian delegation.

Under the terms of the agreement, Syrian nationals convicted in Lebanese prisons will be transferred to Syria to serve the remainder of their sentences (not granted amnesty or released as some presume). According to Lebanese officials, the agreement follows internationally recognized norms governing prisoner transfers between sovereign states. Implementation of the agreement is scheduled to begin immediately, with authorities confirming that around 300 convicted Syrian prisoners will be eligible for transfer.

The agreement specifically applies to convicted individuals who have already served a minimum of 10 years in Lebanese prisons. Officials stressed that the arrangement does not cover detainees who have not yet been convicted, whose cases will be addressed through separate legal mechanisms currently under discussion.

Political and humanitarian significance

Speaking during a joint press conference, Mitri described the agreement as the culmination of 4 months of intensive negotiations involving legal experts and judicial authorities from both countries. He stressed that the agreement represents a shared political commitment to building relations based on mutual trust and respect. He also noted that the agreement addresses a pressing public and humanitarian concern, highlighting the need to resolve the status of Syrian prisoners in Lebanon in accordance with legal frameworks.

For his part, Syrian Minister of Justice Mazhar al-Wais described the agreement as a major step toward achieving justice while alleviating humanitarian suffering. He stated that the issue of Syrian prisoners has long been complex due to varying legal statuses and procedural challenges. Al-Wais added that ongoing discussions between judicial committees from both countries will focus on addressing cases involving detainees who are not covered by the current agreement.

Implications for bilateral relations

Officials from both countries highlighted the agreement as a reflection of improving Lebanese-Syrian relations and growing political will to resolve longstanding disputes. Sustained communication between security and judicial institutions has played a key role in facilitating cooperation. Meanwhile, the agreement could be viewed as part of a broader effort to establish balanced relations free from political interference, emphasizing that both countries are committed to dialogue on all outstanding issues.

Lebanese authorities also suggested that enhanced cooperation could pave the way for progress in other areas, including border demarcation. The latter is specifically significant given that for almost 8 decades, the Syrian government refused or postponed resolving this vital issue, which is considered an important aspect of ensuring Syrian recognition of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In conclusion, the prisoner transfer agreement between Lebanon and Syria represents a significant milestone in bilateral relations, combining legal coordination with humanitarian considerations. By enabling convicted Syrian prisoners to complete their sentences in their home country, both governments aim to address a sensitive and long-standing issue while fostering greater institutional cooperation. As judicial committees continue discussions on unresolved detainee cases, the agreement may serve as a foundation for deeper collaboration between the two nations in the future.