Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani is set to visit Pakistan for a two-day trip starting August 19, according to a diplomatic source in Damascus. The visit, at the invitation of Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, marks the first official visit by a Syrian foreign minister since the ousting of President Bashar Assad in 2024. Other Syrian ministers have previously visited Pakistan, but this is the first time a foreign minister has done so under the current government.
The visit comes as Lebanon prepares to hand over a former senior Syrian military officer linked to Assad’s regime to Damascus. Lebanese judicial authorities have decided to transfer the officer after questioning him over alleged war crimes committed during the country’s conflict. The officer, who was part of Assad’s military leadership, is now being returned to Syria following legal proceedings.
The Syrian government has not yet commented on the Lebanon decision, but the Pakistan visit suggests ongoing diplomatic efforts to reengage with regional allies. The timing of both events highlights the complex political landscape in the Middle East, where former regime figures and current diplomatic moves continue to shape regional relations.
