Arabic → English transcript

The issue of the border with Lebanon is basically,

you know, Lebanon is currently going through a

somewhat sensitive phase,

and is under pressure from the war

and so on, and this, of course,

affects Syria and greatly affects the Lebanese situation.

So, the issue of border demarcation between us and Lebanon is an

outstanding problem since 1946, meaning since Lebanon was established.

There has been

a problem called border demarcation, and this is a very difficult issue.

The Lebanese have spoken to us about it more than once,

but we see that there are priorities in the relationship between Syria and Lebanon,

because basically it was not built correctly.

And there is a wound

on the Lebanese side due to

Syrian interventions,

and a Syrian wound due to Hezbollah's interventions in Syria. Consequently, we

decided to postpone the dialogue on this matter,

especially regarding the Shebaa Farms, which part of it is in the hands of

the Israelis, and at the same time,

we and the Lebanese disagree on whether it is ours or theirs.

Let one of us take it first. We will talk about it later,

as there are many objective problems regarding the Lebanese- Syrian border

And that is why we feared

that we would enter into a discussion on border demarcation in a practical way,

and many problems would arise, such as overlapping villages and things,

so we would go back and open up gates of conflict for ourselves new ones,

at a time when

it is very beneficial that

Lebanon benefits from the new

Syrian situation to stabilize its situation

more and for economic connection, development, and some reforms that they need,

and which Syria can fully provide them services in.

Therefore, I believe that in the near future,

I don't think there are many solutions regarding the border,

so it needs more explanation, more detail, and for conditions to be a bit calmer.

Today we have more than 1.4 million displaced people inside Lebanon,

and its population is four million, so we have a very big problem there, I mean,

and there is no horizon for solving the issue up to this time, I mean,

and of course, the Syrian problems, may God help us.

There are still people spreading

rumors of Syrian intervention in Lebanon and the like, and I believe that

this thing is also untrue.

We propose permanently ending the war,

and strengthening the institutions, and

establishing economic

ties and calming the situation in Lebanon as much as possible.