Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji (R) and Syria's foreign affairs chief Asaad Hassan al-Shibani attend a joint press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, on Oct. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

BEIRUT, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Friday that Lebanon looks forward to building stronger and more balanced relations with Syria, as he received Syria's foreign affairs chief Asaad Hassan al-Shibani.

"Lebanon seeks to strengthen its brotherly ties with Syria on the basis of mutual respect and sovereign equality, to serve the stability and prosperity of both nations," Aoun said during their meeting, according to a statement released by Lebanon's presidency.

Aoun told the Syrian delegation that Lebanon aims to "activate cooperation in political, economic, and security fields to achieve stability in both countries." He proposed forming joint committees to review and update bilateral agreements and address pending issues such as border demarcation, gas pipeline coordination, and the status of detainees.

The president added that Lebanon was awaitting the appointment of a new Syrian ambassador to Beirut to follow up on bilateral matters.

For his part, al-Shibani expressed Syria's readiness to "open a new chapter" in relations with Lebanon. He called for strengthening cooperation in the economic and trade sectors.

"Our peoples have suffered enough from wars and mismanagement," al-Shibani said. "Let us try peace. We are ready to discuss all pending files, whether economic or security-related."

Earlier in the day, al-Shibani also met Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji.

At a joint press conference, al-Shibani said Syria, now entering a stage of recovery and reconstruction, seeks "balanced political relations founded on respect for sovereignty and non-interference."

He added that Syria intends to turn its relationship with Lebanon from "a tense security-based one into a strong political and economic partnership that benefits both nations." ■

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji (R) and Syria's foreign affairs chief Asaad Hassan al-Shibani attend a joint press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, on Oct. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)