Reuters
Lebanon’s Mikati to meet Syrian leader Sharaa in Damascus, Lebanese sources say
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati will meet Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Saturday, two Lebanese sources said, becoming the first head of government to visit Syria’s capital since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The visit will also be the first by a Lebanese premier to neighbouring Syria in 15 years. Lebanon’s new president, Joseph Aoun, said on Thursday there was a historic opportunity for “a serious and equal dialogue” with Syria, which had big sway over its neighbour during much of the Assad family’s five decades in power, maintaining troops there for 29 years until 2005 – a role many Lebanese opposed.