The city of Tripoli, Lebanon, erupted in party following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.This jubilation is deeply rooted in Tripoli’s history,a city scarred by conflict and deeply intertwined with syria’s political landscape.
The 1980s witnessed a brutal war between the Islamic Tawhid Movement and the Syrian army, leaving hundreds of Tripoli residents dead or injured. The city’s predominantly Sunni Muslim population has largely supported the Syrian revolution since its inception, offering refuge to displaced Syrians. This shared history explains the outpouring of joy in Tripoli following Assad’s downfall.
A notable advancement emerged recently when a delegation from the Association of Muslim Scholars traveled to Damascus. This visit, arranged by the office of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who now heads the Syrian government, signifies a potential turning point in relations between the two nations.
Sheikh Salem Al-Rafii, chairman of the commission, described the meeting with Al-Sharaa to Al-Nahar, stating, “We entered the headquarters of the Council of Ministers, where the meeting was held, and Mr. Al-sharaa joked with us that we do not believe that we are visitors and not hidden.”
Al-Sharaa emphasized a commitment to an equal relationship with Lebanon, a stark contrast to the past. He stated, “We respect Lebanon’s independence and sovereignty, and we want, after the situation in Syria stabilizes, to focus on large joint development projects that will benefit all Lebanese components. And not on one category.”
The discussions also focused on Syrian prisoners held in Lebanese jails, many facing charges related to the Syrian revolution. Al-Sharaa indicated his intention to request the repatriation of these prisoners. The delegation also raised two critical issues: the release of Islamist detainees in Lebanese prisons and the prosecution of those responsible for the bombings of the al-Salam and Al-Taqwa mosques in Tripoli in 2013, wich claimed 49 lives. two Syrian security officials were implicated in these attacks.
al-Rafii revealed that the Association of Muslim Scholars will send a formal letter to Al-Sharaa outlining these concerns, hoping to foster cooperation. The new Syrian government’s commitment to holding accountable those responsible for the mosque bombings, including individuals linked to the former regime, offers a glimmer of hope for justice.
The events in Tripoli and the subsequent delegation’s visit highlight the complex interplay of history,politics,and justice in the aftermath of the Syrian conflict. The path to reconciliation and lasting peace remains challenging, but the dialog initiated offers a potential pathway forward.
