Lebanese, Syrian leaders agree to coordinate border security

BEIRUT

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday announced an agreement with his Syrian counterpart, Ahmed al-Sharaa, to coordinate efforts in securing the borders between the two countries amid recent reports of armed clashes.

In a statement, the Lebanese Presidency said Aoun spoke with al-Sharaa over the phone to congratulate him on assuming office as Syria’s president during the transitional period.

The statement added that the two presidents agreed to "coordinate efforts to secure the Lebanese-Syrian borders and prevent attacks on civilians."

No official statement has been issued by the Syrian side regarding the conversation.

Al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime groups to remove the Assad regime, was declared president last week.

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, 2024, ending the regime of the Baath Party, which had been in power since 1963.