{
  "id": 9546923,
  "title": "Lebanon and Syria seek to strengthen ties on UNGA sidelines",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/lebanon-and-syria-seek-to-strengthen-ties-on-unga-sidelines",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T11:22:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/09/24/lebanon-and-syria-seek-to-strengthen-ties-on-unga-sidelines/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lebanon and Syria are striving to enhance their relationship and explore a new chapter in their interactions during the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. This comes after decades of strained ties, with Syria's occupation of Lebanon under the Assad regime. The two nations initiated a fresh start in late 2024, following the collapse of the Assad regime, which Hezbollah, a Lebanese group, had supported throughout the Syrian civil war. Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara emphasized during his meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam that their renewed connection is built on trust, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and shared interests. Both countries are keen on advancing regional connectivity projects, particularly in electricity, railways, and energy sectors. However, several unresolved issues, including the repatriation of Syrian prisoners from Lebanon and security cooperation, remain obstacles to their rapprochement. In July, Lebanon and Syria formed a high-level committee to develop economic partnerships and security agreements. Salam confirmed that discussions on completing the review of the agreements will take place during the committee's first meeting in the coming months.",
  "summary": "Lebanon and Syria sought to deepen ties and press on with a new chapter in their relations when Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara met in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Their relations have been marked by decades of turbulence, with the Syria occupying its neighbour for decades during the Assad family's iron-fisted rule. The two…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Lebanon and Syria seek to strengthen ties on UNGA sidelines",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/lebanon-and-syria-seek-to-strengthen-ties-on-unga-sidelines-9549342",
        "published": "2026-09-24T11:22:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}