Lebanon’s talks with Israel test fragile relationship with Syria

Lebanon’s talks with Israel test fragile relationship with Syria Submitted by MEE correspondent on Fri, 05/22/2026 - 09:26 Beirut’s independent diplomacy raises Syrian concerns over precedent and regional coordination Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) shakes hands with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the People's Palace in Damascus, 9 May 2026 (Sana/AFP) Off Since the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the relationship between Lebanon and Syria has moved carefully, almost nervously, between necessity and mistrust. The two countries are bound together by geography, history, security, and a long list of unresolved issues. But neither side has fully escaped the weight of the past. Lebanon remains wary of any return to Syrian tutelage, while Syria’s new leadership is alert to the possibility that unilateral Lebanese decisions could spill across the border and weaken Damascus at a sensitive moment. That tension is now resurfacing around one of the region’s most delicate files: direct negotiations with Israel . According to a senior Lebanese official familiar with recent discussions between Beirut and Damascus, Syria has voiced concern that Lebanon’s fast-moving negotiation track with Israel is unfolding without sufficient coordination with Damascus, at a time when its own contacts with Tel Aviv have stalled. The message, according to the official, was raised during Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s recent visit to Syria, where he met President Ahmed al-Sharaa. “The Syrian leader spoke in a diplomatic and non-confrontational tone, but made clear that coordination between the two countries on vital issues was essential to strengthen the positions of both sides...

Original source: Middle East Eye