Syria Rejoins Regional Fold as Lebanon Treads Cautiously Toward Recovery

Source: Saudi Arabia remains engaged, and U.S. interest is significant

English version based on the Arabic-language article published by Akhbar al-Yawm

Syria is gradually regaining its place on the international stage, moving forward with a mix of Arab and Western engagement, renewed diplomacy, and investment deals. Meanwhile, Lebanon, despite electing a president and forming a broadly accepted government, remains in a holding pattern, particularly when it comes to economic revival and reconstruction efforts.

A senior political source told the "Akhbar al-Yawm" agency that comparing Lebanon to Syria overlooks key differences.

In Lebanon, the source said, recent security tensions stemmed from misjudgments by specific actors, but the state’s structure remains intact, though weakened by internal divisions. The election of President Joseph Aoun is seen as a stabilizing factor, yet the country continues to grapple with political fragmentation and a lack of coherent governance.

By contrast, Syria experienced a full-scale collapse of its governing system. According to the source, President Bashar al-Assad’s regime had long been viewed as a burden by the West, due to both its role in the conflict and its resistance to broader regional shifts, notably the Abraham Accords. Syria’s strategic position, combined with the interests of Russia, Turkey, and the U.S., as well as the threat of partition, has added complexity to its recovery.

While there are no signs yet of a full-scale reconstruction, the country’s untapped gas and oil resources are attracting attention from international investors. The source highlighted Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in re-engaging with Damascus, noting that Riyadh moved quickly following a high-profile visit by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to Turkey. The aim, he said, was to counter the growing influence of Islamist factions and ensure Syria's return to the Arab fold.

In Lebanon’s case, the source pushed back against claims of Saudi disengagement, saying the kingdom remains involved but is proceeding cautiously to avoid triggering further instability. This approach, he explained, aligns with President Aoun’s efforts to create political space for broader national dialogue. He also pointed to Hezbollah’s recent gains in local elections, suggesting the group is now aiming to convert that into broader political legitimacy ahead of parliamentary polls.

The source noted that steps have been taken quietly to curb illegal arms, particularly south of the Litani River, with many weapons seized and training camps dismantled. While not all actions were voluntary, he said they reflect a growing recognition of the army’s central role in maintaining stability. At the same time, he warned that the Israeli threat remains present, making a cautious approach essential.

President Aoun, he added, continues to manage the issue of non-state arms with patience, aware that the state has yet to fully restore its institutions. Progress so far has focused on administrative appointments and plugging governance gaps, rather than systemic reform.

On the international front, the source said Washington remains deeply engaged. The recent visit by Morgan Ortagus, deputy to the U.S. Middle East envoy, underscored Washington’s interest in pressing unresolved issues, from the Iranian nuclear file to regional proxy dynamics.

In closing, the source described Lebanon’s slow pace as a deliberate strategy. The aim, he said, is to gradually build political legitimacy that will allow the president to push for the state’s exclusive control over arms, sending a clear message to Hezbollah: legitimacy must be shared, but authority belongs to the state.