Syria and Lebanon hope to strike two deals on returning prisoners home and preventing smuggling across their border, they announced on Monday.
One "judicial agreement" could see hundreds of Syrian prisoners return from Lebanon, while a second "related to borders" would tackle the trafficking of drugs and weapons.
Two new committees will draft the agreements after a Syrian delegation visited Lebanon's Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri on Monday, Lebanon's National News Agency reported. The texts could then be considered during a "Syrian ministerial visit to Beirut in the near future".
Mr Mitri last week told The National that Lebanon was "open to discussing" the return of more than 2,000 Syrian inmates, as he denied rumours that the Syrian officials' trip had been delayed.
"It depends on whether they’ve been sentenced, are they awaiting trial, the kind of crimes committed. So we’re open to discussing the issue, but we have to abide by due process," he said.
Some Syrian prisoners were convicted on terrorism charges. Lebanon fears attacks by extremist groups. Lebanon's prisons are notorious for their overcrowding and cramped conditions.
Syria is seeking the prisoners' return as new governments in Damascus and Beirut try to put past conflicts aside. The former Assad regime in Syria occupied Lebanon until 2005, while fighters from Lebanon's Hezbollah joined the civil war in Syria.
On Monday they discussed how to address issues in a way that "enhances trust, mutual respect, and a sincere desire for co-operation between the two countries", the news agency said. It said the meeting addressed "co-operation in border control and the prevention of smuggling".
Syria's new rulers have accused Lebanon's Hezbollah of sponsoring drugs and weapons traffickers at the border.
Last month Syria seized 60kg of cannabis on the border with Lebanon. The raid involved an "exchange of fire" between Syrian forces and drugs smugglers who fled back into Lebanon, Syrian authorities said.
The Lebanese government estimates about 1.5 million Syrians are in the country in total, though the figures are hard to verify.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
Torque: 340Nm
Price: Dh155,800
On sale: now
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Results:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 (PA) | Group 1 US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
Winner: Goshawke, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) | Listed $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Silva, Oisin Murphy, Pia Brendt
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) | Conditions $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
Winner: Golden Jaguar, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) | Group 3 $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
Winner: Drafted, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Sandeep Jadhav
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
Winner: Oasis Charm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Escalator, Christopher Hayes, Charlie Fellowes
The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
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What is safeguarding?
“Safeguarding, not just in sport, but in all walks of life, is making sure that policies are put in place that make sure your child is safe; when they attend a football club, a tennis club, that there are welfare officers at clubs who are qualified to a standard to make sure your child is safe in that environment,” Derek Bell explains.
