The capitals of Lebanon and Syria are separated by just 85 kilometers ( 53 miles ). However, new political improvements in Damascus may have profound effects across the border, and Joseph Aoun, Lebanon’s newly elected president, is paying close attention. Donald Trump, the president of the United States, made the announcement earlier this week that he would pull decades-long sanctions against Syria. Although the details of those plans are still ambiguous, for a walk might help Damascus join global markets, recruit foreign investment, and restore diplomatic support from Washington, Saudi Arabia, and a number of Gulf states. Following Trump’s announcement, Aoun said on Tuesday that” stability in Syria will positively impact Lebanon and the entire region,” calling it a” courageous decision” by the US.
Migrants and reconstruction
Since the start of the region’s civil war in 2011, more than 1.5 million Syrian refugees have emigrated to neighboring Lebanon, many of whom are undocumented, according to the UNHCR, the migrant company. The resignation of past dictator Bashar Assad in December may open the door for repatriation, according to Beirut, who has frequently called for their return. Aoun, who took office in January and broke a two-year social impasse, said,” We can no longer define them purely as refugees.” He suggested that many people may presently fall under the category of “economic workers,” as opposed to “individuals in need of prison safety.” Lebanon continues to face significant inside difficulties of its own. The region continues to suffer from years of political unrest, soaring prices, at one point exceeding 250 %, and the effects of a collapsed banking industry. More than 80 % of the population lives below the poverty line, according to Human Rights Watch. Regional unrest has made things even more complicated. Lebanon’s problem increased as a result of the country’s increased burden due to the country’s frequent ceasefire and cross-border clashes with Israel and Hezbollah in November 2024. Following years of regional conflict, political unrest, and the 2020 Beirut port explosion, according to the World Bank, Lebanon will need about €9.83 billion ($ 11 billion ) in aid to support reconstruction and recovery needs.
Integration for Syria and Lebanon “exceeds contest”
Some analysts worry that Lebanon perhaps be abandoned and unable to keep up with the rate of change across the frontier as Syria begins to join with other nations. If Damascus comes before Beirut in resolving disputes with the Gulf state and establishing political ties in the region, it will have the advantage of securing political and economic opportunities, according to Sami Nader, chairman of the Washington-based Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs. Nader thinks Lebanon, which is much smaller in terms of community and dimensions than Syria, perhaps even profit. He said,” The Lebanese market, which serves about 5 million people, and the Syrian market, which serves about 20 million, could combine into one enormous market.” He added that” Syria is a key corridor for the export of Lebanese goods by land.” He claimed that the raising of sanctions could cause the property hall to open, which would then connect Lebanon with Jordan, Iraq, and the nations in the Gulf. Nader predicted that Lebanon and Syria’s economic integration would outweigh any regional competitors. Yassine Jaber, the country’s finance minister, echoed these views by saying in a statement to theL’Orient Today newspaper that potential jobs like” the passage of Iraqi oil to the Tripoli plant, the creation of a fibre optic series, the electric connection between five countries, as well as the transfer of gas and electricity from Egypt and Jordan to Lebanon” are” a positive sign” for the nation. Additionally, Lebanonese businesses are anticipated to help with the reconstruction of Syria’s infrastructure, which was largely damaged during the civil war.
Retaining refugees is a top priority
When or if any sanctions will be lifted are undetermined. Syrians are aware that the US has decided to lift all sanctions against Syria, but in reality, Kelly Petillo, a researcher in the Middle East at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told DW. According to Petillo, those in Syria, who are frequently residing in temporary accommodations and have been displaced multiple times, will first benefit from lifting sanctions. However, Patillo warned against rushing to bring back people to Syria. It will take a while for someone who has been away from Syria to choose to return, even with economic support.
