France, Feb. 12 -- Many in Lebanon believed Assad wanted to dominate their country or even annex parts of it, but his fall in December 2024 has not improved relations between the two neighbours.

Lebanese officials say relations will take time to improve after decades of mistrust. They accuse Syria's new authorities of maintaining the same approach as under Assad- putting what they describe as "security considerations" ahead of economic cooperation.

For Lebanon, resolving long-standing disputes such as the demarcation of the Lebanon-Syria border should come first. Trade routes under pressure

Syria remains a crucial trade corridor, serving as Lebanon's land gateway to Iraq, Jordan, Gulf countries and Iran. Lebanese agricultural exports r...