Syrian, Lebanese Ministers Discuss Refugee File on Sidelines of ESCWA Forum

By Kardo Roj 

DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) –
Syrian Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Hind Kabawat, met on Tuesday with her Lebanese counterpart Haneen Al-Sayyed to discuss the refugee issue, on the sidelines of the ESCWA forum for sustainable development held in Beirut.

Lebanese Minister Al-Sayyed shared on X (formerly Twitter) that the meeting was an introductory session where both ministers exchanged congratulations on their recent appointments and discussed current priorities and challenges facing their ministries.

The ministers reportedly exchanged views on the social challenges in both Syria and Lebanon, addressing the pressing refugee situation and the need for coordinated efforts. “The meeting offered an opportunity to explore common files and points of divergence, while stressing the importance of Arab coordination amid ongoing social and economic crises,” Al-Sayyed stated.

The session was also attended by Dr. Rola Dashti, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), who helped steer discussions towards enhanced regional cooperation in the fields of social protection and development.

The dialogue marks a rare direct engagement between Syrian and Lebanese officials on a highly sensitive issue, especially given Lebanon’s large Syrian refugee population and domestic pressures to resolve the matter.