Lebanon-Syria Treaty of Cooperation
20 May 1991

The Lebanese Republic and the Syrian Arab Republic on the basis of the distinguished brotherly relations between them which serve their strength from the roots of kinship history common affiliation common destiny and joint strategic interests; out of their belief that the achievement of the broadest cooperation and coordination between them will serve their strategic interests and provide the means for ensuring their development and progress and for defending their pan-Arab and national security be a source of prosperity and stability enable them to face all regional and international developments and meet the aspirations of peoples of the two countries; and in implementation of the Lebanese national accord which was ratified by the Lebanese Chamber of Deputies on 5 November 1989 have agreed on the following:

Article 1: The two states will work to achieve the highest level of cooperation and coordination in all political economic security cultural scientific and other fields in a manner that will realize the interests of the two fraternal countries within the framework of respect for their individual sovereignty and independence and will enable the two countries to use their political economic and security resources to provide prosperity and stability ensure their pan-Arab and national security and expand and strengthen their common interests as an affirmation of the brotherly relations and guarantee of their common destiny.

Article 2: The two states will work to achieve cooperation and coordination in the economic agricultural industrial and commercial fields as well as in the fields of transportation communications customs the establishment of joint profits and coordination of development plans.

Article 3: The connection between the security of the two countries requires that Lebanon not become a threat to Syria's security and vice versa under any circumstances. Therefore Lebanon will not allow itself to become a transit point or base for any force state or organization that seeks to undermine its security or that of Syria. Syria which cherishes Lebanon's security independence and unity and the agreement among its people will not allow any action that threatens Lebanon's security independence and sovereignty.

Article 4: After the political reforms are approved in a constitutional manner as stipulated in the Lebanese national accord and after the deadlines specified in this accord have expired the Syrian and Lebanese Governments will decide on the redeployment of the Syrian forces in the al-Biqa' area and the entrance to western al-Biqa' in Dahr as-Baydar up to the Haammanah-al-Mudayri-'Any Dara line and if necessary in other points to be specified by a joint Lebanese-Syrian military committee. The two governments will conclude an agreement specifying the size and duration of the Syrian forces' presence in these areas and the relationship of these forces with the authorities of the Lebanese state.

Article 5: The two states' Arab and international foreign policy shall be based on the following principles:

  1. Lebanon and Syria are Arab states which are committed to the Arab League Charter the Arab defense pact and joint economic cooperation and all agreements ratified within the framework of the Arab League. They are members of the United Nations and are committed to its Charter. They are also members of the Non-aligned Movement.
  2. The two countries share a common destiny and common interests.
  3. Each country supports the other in issues related to its security and national interests in accordance of the contents of this treaty. Therefore the governments of the two countries shall coordinate their Arab and international policies cooperate to the fullest extent possible in Arab and international institutions and organizations and coordinate their stands on regional and international issues.

Article 6: The following bodies shall be formed to achieve the goals of this treaty. Other bodies can be established by a decision from the Supreme Council.

1. The Supreme Council:

2. The Executive Body:

The executive body will consist of the prime ministers of the two countries and a number of ministers concerned with the relations between them. This body will assume the following tasks:

3. The Foreign Affairs Committee:

4. The Economic and Social Affairs Committee:

5. The Defense and Security Affairs Committee:

6. The General Secretariat:

Closing Provisions: