Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Nassar stated Friday that Syria is showing a positive response to Lebanon’s request for information regarding assassinations and disappearances that occurred during the regime of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad.
In a press conference, Minister Nassar explained that Lebanon has formally requested information from Syria concerning assassinations carried out during the previous regime. The request also includes files related to Lebanese citizens who were forcibly disappeared and those evading justice.
Notable figures assassinated in Syria include former Presidents Bashir Gemayel and René Moawad, as well as former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and prominent religious leaders such as former Grand Mufti of Lebanon, Sheikh Hassan Khaled, among others.
The Lebanese Justice Minister highlighted the positive attitude from the Syrian side, expressing hope that this will translate into concrete actions.
Nassar further clarified that any handling of the Syrian prisoners’ issue in Lebanon will be conducted in accordance with established laws and through the relevant institutions. He emphasized Lebanon’s commitment to the rule of law and the sovereignty of its institutions.
Earlier, Syrian President Ahmed al-Shareh met with Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Metri in Damascus, where they discussed several issues, including the file of missing persons.
According to reports, approximately 2,250 Syrians are held in Lebanese prisons, representing about one-third of the total prison population. Around 700 of these meet the criteria for extradition, but a new agreement between the two countries is needed.
Among the Syrian prisoners in Lebanon, hundreds have been arrested on charges of terrorism and affiliation with armed groups, and have been referred to the Military Court. Others are accused of launching attacks against the Lebanese army in border areas during the Syrian revolution.
Earlier this month, the Lebanese Justice Minister stated that he discussed with his Syrian counterpart, Mazhar al-Awais, the signing of a judicial cooperation agreement to resolve a number of files, including the issue of Syrian detainees in Lebanon. The Syrian Ministry of Justice indicated that al-Awais’s visit to Lebanon aimed to follow up on the file of Syrian detainees and to discuss ways of cooperation to support joint efforts in redressing injustices against detainees.
