Damascus:Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani welcomed a Lebanese delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri in Damascus. The discussions centered on the return of Syrian refugees and the facilitation of these processes.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the meeting took place at Tishreen Palace and included the participation of Syrian ministers such as Marwan al-Halabi for Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mohammad Abdulrahman Turko for Education, and Hind Kabawat for Social Affairs and Labor.

The session is a continuation of prior discussions aimed at reinforcing the efforts of joint committees established to tackle mutual concerns. These committees focus on transitioning from general dialogues to implementing practical measures within each ministry's purview.

The agenda also included discussions on administrative, social, and educational issues concerning Syrian refugees residing in Lebanon. This visit follows earlier talks on October 19 in Damascus between Lebanese Social Affairs Minister Hanin Sayed and her Syrian counterpart, Hind Kabawat, which addressed refugee returns, child protection, and social protection expertise exchanges.

Minister Hanin Sayed highlighted that approximately 700,000 Syrians had returned from Lebanon by September 2026, using figures from the UN refugee agency. Sayed emphasized the need for sustainable returns, which would require access to housing, education, services, and employment, while Minister Kabawat advocated for institutional cooperation via joint committees and working groups.