DAMASCUS — Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam concluded talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Saturday focused on security, infrastructure and the release of Syrian prisoners held in Lebanese jails. The meeting was Salam's second official visit to Syria since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad almost 18 months ago during an offensive led by opposition forces under al-Sharaa.

Salam said "significant progress" had been made in discussions, which covered security, transport, infrastructure, and economic matters. He said the talks also focused on strengthening cooperation and deepening ties between the two countries through collaboration on economic, social, and cultural issues.

More than 2,000 Syrians are currently detained in Lebanon, some accused of terrorism and others of attacking the Lebanese army. Al-Sharaa has made the release of detained Syrian prisoners a priority. In March, more than 130 Syrian prisoners were transferred from Lebanon to Syria, where they are serving the remainder of their sentences.

Border and security concerns were a priority for both leaders. People and goods, including drugs and weapons, are frequently smuggled across the 330-kilometre border shared by Lebanon and Syria. Damascus has announced a series of operations and arrests in recent months, including the arrest of what it described as Hezbollah cells allegedly plotting to assassinate senior government figures.

Both governments oppose the Iran-backed group Hezbollah, which holds influence in Lebanon and is currently engaged in a war with Israel. Some 1.2 million people, more than a fifth of Lebanon's population, have been displaced by Israeli attacks. Hezbollah lost its supply route through Syria following the removal of al-Assad, a close ally of Iran and a key figure in the "axis of resistance" as described by Tehran. Lebanese authorities have pledged to disarm Hezbollah but have been unable to do so.

Lebanon is preparing for direct talks with Israel in Washington on Thursday and Friday next week. He said he would prioritize reinforcing the current ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, which was brokered by Washington and came into effect in mid-April. Since then, Israel has repeatedly carried out attacks across Lebanon, including in Beirut.

He said the talks present an opportunity to end the decades-old conflict between the two countries. Lebanon would focus on ending attacks on the country, securing the release of detainees, and agreeing on a timeline for an Israeli withdrawal, he said.