Syria and Lebanon Discuss Legal Files and the Handover of Fugitives from the Former Syrian Regime

On Tuesday, Syrian Minister of Justice, Mazhar Al-Wais, called on Lebanese authorities to hand over several former officials who fled the previous Syrian regime, during his official visit to Beirut where he met with a number of Lebanese government officials.

Al-Wais said in a press conference held in the Lebanese capital on the sidelines of the visit that there is “great consensus between the Syrian and Lebanese sides regarding legal files,” noting that Damascus “places great importance on developing judicial cooperation between the two countries.”

The minister added that both sides agreed to continue coordinating on joint cases, particularly those related to Syrian detainees and fugitives, including individuals “who fled the ousted regime,” as he described.

Al-Wais explained that discussions also covered security issues related to events Lebanon witnessed in past years, stressing that upcoming agreements between the two countries “will be based on principles of justice, respect for sovereignty, and recent legal and constitutional developments in Syria.”

The Syrian Minister of Justice concluded by saying that his country “seeks to enhance genuine cooperation with Lebanon in security and judicial matters,” noting that efforts are underway to uncover the truth and achieve justice in cases shared between the two countries.