Kataeb Party leader and Member of Parliament Samy Gemayel spoke for over an hour by telephone on Saturday with Syrian President Ahmad al‑Sharaa in a call that focused on regional tensions, the ongoing war in the Middle East, and future Lebanese‑Syrian relations.
In a statement, the Kataeb Party described the conversation as "very positive and reassuring" regarding the possibility of opening a new chapter in ties between Lebanon and Syria.
During the call, President al‑Sharaa stressed that relations between the two countries should be built on mutual respect, and economic cooperation and integration that serve the interests of both peoples. He also underscored that the large military presence along the Syrian borders with Lebanon and Iraq is intended solely to secure Syria’s frontiers and preserve stability.
According to the party’s statement, Gemayel emphasized the importance of establishing healthy and normal relations between Lebanon and Syria after decades of strained ties and conflict. It added that Gemayel noted this was the first time he felt a real opportunity to move from decades of confrontation toward a positive and constructive relationship.
Gemayel also raised sensitive issues with the Syrian president, including a request for Syrian cooperation in uncovering the fate of Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons, notably Kataeb political bureau member Boutros Khound. He called for assistance in identifying those responsible for political assassinations in Lebanon in which the Assad regime was implicated, including the killings of Minister Pierre Gemayel and MP Antoine Ghanem, and for information on the whereabouts of Bashir Gemayel’s killer, Habib Charbouty.
The statement said the call concluded with an agreement to keep communication channels open and continue coordination in ways that serve the stability and prosperity of both countries.
In a statement, the Kataeb Party described the conversation as "very positive and reassuring" regarding the possibility of opening a new chapter in ties between Lebanon and Syria.
During the call, President al‑Sharaa stressed that relations between the two countries should be built on mutual respect, and economic cooperation and integration that serve the interests of both peoples. He also underscored that the large military presence along the Syrian borders with Lebanon and Iraq is intended solely to secure Syria’s frontiers and preserve stability.
According to the party’s statement, Gemayel emphasized the importance of establishing healthy and normal relations between Lebanon and Syria after decades of strained ties and conflict. It added that Gemayel noted this was the first time he felt a real opportunity to move from decades of confrontation toward a positive and constructive relationship.
Gemayel also raised sensitive issues with the Syrian president, including a request for Syrian cooperation in uncovering the fate of Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons, notably Kataeb political bureau member Boutros Khound. He called for assistance in identifying those responsible for political assassinations in Lebanon in which the Assad regime was implicated, including the killings of Minister Pierre Gemayel and MP Antoine Ghanem, and for information on the whereabouts of Bashir Gemayel’s killer, Habib Charbouty.
The statement said the call concluded with an agreement to keep communication channels open and continue coordination in ways that serve the stability and prosperity of both countries.
