The diplomatic void between Beirut and Damascus, deliberately ignored or conditional waiting?
The diplomatic void between Beirut and Damascus: deliberate ignore or conditional waiting?
The diplomatic void between Beirut and Damascus Since Syria has witnessed a fundamental political transformation with the fall of the Assad regime on December 8 and the rise of the new administration led by President Ahmed Al -Shara.
A state of stalemate prevails in the Lebanese -Syrian relations, specifically from the Damascus side.
Six months passed without registering a single visit to a Syrian official to Beirut,
Despite the multiplicity of official and informal Lebanese visits to the Syrian capital,
In a scene that raises many question marks about the nature of this Syrian ignorance and whether it is intended.
A Syrian absence in exchange for an intense Lebanese presence
At a time when the Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Shaibani and a number of Syrian ministers raced to regional and western capitals,
Beirut remained absent from this path, despite its geographical proximity and the importance of joint files between the two countries.
On the other hand, the Lebanese delegations were rushed to Damascus, starting with the current Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and the former Naguib Mikati,
Pass the ministers, security and party officials.
Perhaps what increases the severity of surprise is that the absence of Syrian officials from Beirut has not even been dismissed through periodic meetings or protocol visits,
With the exception of limited meetings, President Joseph Aoun and Ahmed Al -Sharaa gathered in Cairo,
Another meeting between the defense ministers in Jeddah by Saudi mediation, without translating these steps with a direct Syrian openness to Lebanon.
The file of the displaced: the essence of the crisis and the cause of the diplomatic void between Beirut and Damascus ؟
One of the most prominent files between the two countries remains the file of the displaced Syrians, which is seen as one of the most important axes of the bilateral relationship.
The Lebanese street, with the government, was hoping that political change in Syria would lead to a new approach to this file, especially after the lifting of European sanctions and the escalating Arab support of Damascus.
With the absence of the political excuse that was previously converting without the return of the displaced,
Regarding the non -guarantee of the previous regime for a safe return, Damascus was expected to re -prioritize,
In the forefront of which is coordination with Lebanon to return hundreds of thousands of displaced people.
But the information indicates that the new Syrian administration is currently priority to the displaced people inside Syria,
With the file of the returnees from Lebanon, it is still postponed, which reflects an undeclared reservation and perhaps an unwillingness to approach the file at the speed that Lebanon expects.
Lifting the sanctions and international aid, changes that have not been invested yet
Changing the European position on Syria after the lifting of sanctions,
He gave an indication of a fundamental change in international dealing with the Syrian file,
It also contributed to supporting the safe return opportunities for the displaced.
However, this development was not translated with practical steps by Damascus towards Beirut,
What remains the question is, commenting: Does Syria deal with Lebanon as a deferred file pending the arrangement of its internal and external priorities?
Or are there unannounced conditions that have not yet been met from the Lebanese side?
In this context, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is registered with his clear position in front of an American delegation.
When he stressed that “improvement Syrian economy A prerequisite for the return of the displaced.
Calling the United Nations to direct aid towards the Syrian instead of continuing to support the displaced in Lebanon.
Lebanese concerns about the conversion of the displaced into economic refugees
The data indicate that the classification of the displaced people in Lebanon began to change gradually,
From political refugees to economic refugees, especially after the disappearance of the political reasons that prevented their return,
This is what some international parties alluded. But the irony is that the international community, despite this change,
It is still involved in responding to the Lebanese demand to direct support to the displaced inside Syria,
This raises question marks about the role of the UNHCR Commission and the grandmother of the international community in radically handling the file.
A government plan for the return of 400,000 displaced people waiting for the green light from Damascus
In this context, the information indicates that the Lebanese government has developed a plan to return about 400,000 displaced in batches,
Relying on security and political coordination with the Syrian side, but the plan cannot be applied without the approval of Damascus,
Which is still a delay in giving the green light, under the pretext of “focusing on the Syrian interior first,” according to what followed by follow -up sources.
This delay throws its weight on the internal Lebanese situation, as economic and service crises worsened as a result of the pressure of displacement, especially in the areas of health, education and infrastructure,
In addition to the escalation of social tensions between the Lebanese and the displaced in some areas.
Will the Sharia Summit – Aoun is an entrance to the restoration of relationships?
In front of this reality, it appears that the solution is going through a political summit at the highest levels. Presidents Ahmed Al -Shara and Joseph Aoun have gathered to reopen the channels of coordination and address the outstanding files. Lebanon is no longer to be more delayed, especially with the intensification of the economic crisis, the decline in international aid, and the escalation of popular pressure.
Perhaps this summit, if there is an entrance to revive bilateral agreements, and understand the mechanisms of the return of the displaced, along with other files related to security and economic coordination and reconstruction, which can constitute an opportunity for Lebanon to take advantage of the upcoming investment projects in Syria.
The diplomatic void between Beirut and Damascus – A cold break and the key to the solution in Damascus
Between an unannounced diplomacy and a cautious Syrian behavior, the Lebanese -Syrian file swing on the edge of waiting. Damascus, despite its openness to the world, still closes the door to Beirut, which suggests that the relationship between the two countries needs to reset its rhythm, especially since the delay in processing the binary files will increase the burdens of Lebanon, and Syria loses a natural ally on its borders.
Consequently, the question posed today is not only why Damascus intersect Beirut, but for how long will this boycott continue, and what is the political price required to open communication channels again?
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