What is the relief from Syrian sanctions for Lebanon?

Only 85 kilometers (53 mi) separates Lebanon and Syrian capitals. But recent political developments in Damascus may have far -reaching consequences on the border, and the newly elected President of Lebanon, Joseph Aun, is paying full attention.Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump announced his intention to lift sanctions on Syria for decades. While the details of those schemes are unclear, such a step may pave the way for re -creating international markets for Damascus, attracting foreign investment and gaining diplomatic support from Washington, Saudi Arabia and many Gulf states.“Stability in Syria will affect Lebanon and the entire region positively,” AON called it a “courageous decision” by the US after the announcement of Trump on Tuesday.

Refugee and reconstruction

According to the United Nations Refugee Agency UNHCR, more than 1.5 million displaced Syrians, several unspecified, have escaped into the neighboring Lebanon since the onset of the country’s civil war.Berut has repeatedly called him to return, arguing for the exclusion of former dictator President Bashar Asad in December, opening the way for repatriation. Aun, who took over in January to end the two -year political deadlock in January, said, “We can no longer classify them as strictly as refugees.” He suggested that many people can now be classified as economic migrants, instead of individuals requiring asylum safety. Lebanon continues to face his own major internal challenges. At a point of over 250%, the country suffers from increasing inflation, the decline of a collapsed banking sector and political upheaval years. According to Human Rights Watch, more than 80% of the population remains below the poverty line.There are more complex cases in regional instability. The conflict between Israel and Hizbullah in Lebanon and cross -border attacks, which are widely stopped after the November 2024 ceasefire, put an additional burden on the country. The World Bank estimates that Lebanon will require approximately € 9.83 billion ($ 11 billion) to assist the regional conflict, political and economic turmoil and 2020 Beerut port explosion after years of reconstruction and recovery needs.

‘Integration is more than’ integration competition ‘for Syria and Lebanon

As Syria begins to connect with other countries, some analysts worry that Lebanon may be left behind and is not able to keep pace with the border change rate.Sami Nader, director of Washington-based Levent Institute for Strategic Affairs, said, “If Damascus asked Berut to coordinate with the Gulf states and establish geopolitical relations in the region, it would benefit from seizing political and economic opportunities,” Director of Washington-based Levent Institute for Strategic Affairs Sami Nadar told.On the other hand, Nadar believes that Lebanon, which is much smaller in size and population than Syria, may also benefit.He said, “Lebanese market, which approximately 5 million, and the Syrian market, which serves around 20 million, could become a huge market,” he said “is” an important corridor for the export of Lebanese goods by Syria land. ” To lift the restrictions, he said, there may be an inauguration of the land corridor, which will connect Lebanon to Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries.“Economic integration between Lebanon and Syria would exceed any competition between these two countries,” Nadar said.Lebanese Finance Minister Yasin Jabar resonated these feelings while talking about Lebanon Today i Potential projects of the newspaper, such as “passing of Iraqi oil for the Tripoli refinery, establishing a fiber optic line, electrical relations between five countries, as well as transporting gas and electricity from Egypt and Jordan to Lebanon, represents” a positive signal “for the country.Lebanese companies are also expected to contribute to the reconstruction of the Syrian infrastructure, most of which were damaged during the Civil War.

Give a highest priority to refugees

It is not clear when or if any restriction will be lifted.“The Syrians know that the US has expressed the will to lift all the restrictions on Syria, but it can be more complex to get in reality,” Kelly Petilo, the Middle East researcher on foreign relations on the European Council, said DW said.Removing the restrictions, Petilo believes that those in Syria will first benefit, many of whom are living in temporary housing and have been displaced several times.Petilo warned, however, against people returning to Syria.“For someone who has been away from Syria for years, it will take a long time to decide to return with economic relief.”