Lebanon prepared to demarcate border with Syria, president states

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has declared his country's readiness to formally demarcate its long-disputed border with Syria, pending agreement from Damascus. Speaking to a media delegation in Beirut, Aoun stated that a Lebanese committee is prepared to begin the process, which has been a source of tension and smuggling since both nations gained independence from France.

A phased approach, deferring Shebaa Farms

Aoun proposed a phased strategy, suggesting the formation of separate committees for maritime and land borders while leaving the issue of the Shebaa Farms until last. The Farms, a small area occupied by Israel since 2000, are claimed by both Lebanon and Syria. The president noted that France has provided relevant maps to assist the demarcation effort along the roughly 375-kilometer frontier, which currently lacks clear markers.

On Hezbollah's weapons and army duties

Addressing domestic security, Aoun asserted that the Lebanese Army's duties extend beyond the issue of Hezbollah's arsenal to include combating drugs, terrorism, border security, and internal stability. He referenced a government decision, based on a US-drafted proposal, to place all weapons under state control north of the Litani River by the end of 2025, stating the decision "is being implemented." Hezbollah has consistently rejected such disarmament until Israeli forces fully withdraw from Lebanese territory.

Broader context of bilateral relations

The president described Lebanon-Syria relations as "slow but moving toward improvement," and called for activating a judicial agreement to address the status of Syrian detainees in Lebanese prisons. The border demarcation initiative represents a potential step toward resolving a century-old ambiguity that has fueled periodic clashes and complicated governance between the two neighbors.