The demarcation of the border between Lebanon and Syria, between the historical heritage and the chances of a solution

Lebanon today

The demarcation of the border between Lebanon and Syria

The issue of demarcation between Lebanon and Syria is one of the most prominent sovereign issues between the two countries since independence,

For decades, it remained hostage to political tensions, regional circumstances, and geographical and demographic overlap on Earth.

And with the developments of the year 2025, especially Lebanon, maps and coordinates from France dating back to the mandate period,

This file returned to the interface again, forming an opportunity that may not be repeated to resolve the chronic border conflict between the two sides.

The roots of the crisis: the boundaries inherited from the mandate

The roots of the border problem between Lebanon and Syria are due to the colonial era, when the French Mandate authorities have drawn administrative border lines between the two entities, without being official or officially clear.

There was no final or documented demarcation at the state level, leaving the field for geographical interference between the border villages and towns, and the accumulation of conflicts that have not been resolved until today.

After obtaining their independence, there was no real effort to solve this file,

Rather, the subject of political and security attraction remained, especially in light of the tense relations in successive periods.

With the succession of events, the border areas have become contact points, sources of smuggling and frequent violations, which made the issue more complicated.

Mandate Maps: French initiative to resolve the conflict

In an important gesture during the year 2025, the Lebanese Army Command received maps and accurate coordinates dating back to the time of the French Mandate, showing the borders between Lebanon and Syria as it was managed at the time.

These maps were handed over to the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to be matched with the current maps and coordinates with the Directorate of Geographical Affairs in the Lebanese Army.

The importance of these documents is that they may constitute a steady negotiating reference in any future debate on demarcation,

Especially since its source is international (French), and it dates back to a historical stage that preceded the emergence of border disputes.

Lebanese parties have expressed their hope that these documents will be used to launch official negotiations with the Syrian side, starting with the demarcation of the land and the naval borders.

Population and geographical interference: a knot in the face of demarcation

Many border areas between Lebanon and Syria suffer from complex geographical and population interference.

Where there are Lebanese villages that have been inhabited by Syrian citizens for decades, and vice versa.

This overlap makes the issue of demarcation a real challenge, as it is not only related to defining geographical lines,

Rather, with the fate of residents, royal rights, and disputed lands.

Among these areas: Hermel, the palace, the bottom projects, and the villages in Akkar,

All of them suffer from the absence of an accurate definition of borders, which is reflected in the security, economic and services situation.

Illegal crossings: the greatest security challenge in the demarcation of the border between Lebanon and Syria

One of the most prominent repercussions of the absence of the official demarcation of the borders is the widespread spread of the illegal crossings used in smuggling operations between Lebanon and Syria.

Recent years have registered a great escalation in the smuggling of goods, fuel, weapons and even humans.

In the border area of ​​Hermel, for example, bloody confrontations took place as a result of infiltration attempts, which killed three Syrians.

In response, the Lebanese army strengthened its security measures in the region, by intensifying patrols and setting up new checkpoints along the border line.

This situation also threatens the Lebanese internal stability, especially since smuggling causes great damage to the economy, and fuels tension between the local population and the state.

A Saudi -Lebanese -Syrian agreement: signs of a breakthrough

March of 2025 witnessed a remarkable development, when a meeting was held in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which brought together the defense ministers in Lebanon and Syria, under the auspices of Saudi Minister Khaled bin Salman.

The meeting resulted in a joint agreement on the need to start the demarcation of borders between the two countries, with a political and security cover from the Saudi leadership.

This agreement is seen as an important step towards breaking the stalemate for decades,

It may have positive repercussions on other thorny files between the two countries,

Like the file of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, and security cooperation in combating smuggling and terrorism.

Shebaa Farms: The most sensitive node in the demarcation of the border between Lebanon and Syria

One of the most prominent issues that branch out the border file is the development of the Shebaa farms occupied by Israel and demanded by the Lebanese state.

While the United Nations considers it a Syrian land.

To solve this node, the international community requires the availability of official documents that prove that the farmer is Lebanese origin.

If the maps of the Mandate recently delivered by France show that the farms are within Lebanese territory,

However, this is not sufficient in international law, unless a Syrian official position recognizes this.

Consequently, any border agreement between Lebanon and Syria must include this sensitive point to strengthen the Lebanese position in the face of the Israeli occupation.

Marine border demarcation: the economic dimension

In light of the growing importance of marine wealth in the eastern Mediterranean, the demarcation of the maritime borders between Lebanon and Syria is an urgent matter.

Especially since Lebanon began benefiting from its marine resources after its borders with Cyprus and Israel.

The absence of an official agreement with Syria on the maritime borders keeps the legal situation unclear,

It hinders any Lebanese investment in the northern region of economic water.

The need to determine the rights in relation to water and transit rivers also emerges,

Like the Orontes and the Great River, to avoid conflicts on the future water quotas, especially in light of the escalation of the water crisis globally.

Future challenges for the demarcation of borders between Lebanon and Syria

Despite the positive indicators that appeared in 2025, the border demarcation path is still fraught with obstacles, most notably:

• The absence of a clear political will from the Syrian side in previous stages.
• Social and family overlap in the border areas, which makes the demarcation a sensitive process.
• Continuous security threats that hinder the presence of joint field committees.
• The need for an international reference that guarantees the implementation of agreements and supervises their implementation.

The demarcation of the borders between Lebanon and Syria is no longer just a legal requirement, but rather a strategic necessity that affects security, sovereignty and economy in the two countries.

The developments that took place in 2025, whether at the level of French maps or security agreements,

It is a historical opportunity to process this thorny file.

If the political will is available on both sides, with regional and international support,

It is possible to reach a comprehensive agreement that ends the state of ambiguity, and the Lebanese state returns its sovereignty over its entire territory.

A new cooperation path is launched between Beirut and Damascus, based on clarity and mutual respect.