Syria, Lebanon call for immediate stop to deadly Israel-Hamas conflict

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad (R) meets with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib in the Syrian capital of Damascus, Oct. 23, 2023. Syria and Lebanon on Monday jointly condemned the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip and called for an immediate stop to the deadly Israel-Hamas conflict. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Syria and Lebanon on Monday jointly condemned the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip and called for an immediate stop to the deadly Israel-Hamas conflict.

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad met with his visiting Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib in the Syrian capital of Damascus, where they underscored the importance of continued consultation and strategic alignment to address the pressing common challenges, Syria's state news agency SANA reported.

During the visit, both sides reiterated their unwavering commitment to addressing the plight of the Palestinian people, stressing unconditional and immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

They vehemently rejected any attempts aimed at the displacement of the Palestinians or delegitimization of the Palestinian cause.

Moreover, they stressed the urgent need for the enforcement of related international resolutions to put an end to the Israeli occupation of Arab territories, while advocating for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The discussion also delved into the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon, with both nations highlighting collaborative efforts to ensure the dignified and safe return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.

The two sides agreed to initiate subsequent coordination meetings to address important issues including the safe return of displaced individuals, border control, the exchange of convicts, and other matters of mutual concern.