Lebanon-Syria Treaty of Cooperation

Pay attention to the terminology: it is noteworthy!

LEBANON-SYRIA TREATY OF COOPERATION - MAY 20 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:
A. The supreme council will consist of the presidents of the two
contracting countries and a number of other members from both countries.
B. The supreme council will meet at least once a year and more often
when necessary at a venue to be agreed upon.
C. The supreme council charts the general policy for coordination and
cooperation between the two states in the political economic security
military and other fields. It also supervises the implementation of
this policy and adopts the plans and decisions that are made by the
executive body the foreign affairs committee the economic and social
affairs committee the defense and security affairs committee or any
committee that is established in the future provided that the
constitutional provisions of the two countries are respected.
D. The supreme council's decisions are binding and effective within the
framework of the constitutional laws and rules of the two countries
except for those decisions which require the approval of the executive
or legislative authorities in the two countries under their
constitutional provisions.
E. The supreme council defines the subjects on which the committees
concerned have the right to make decisions. Once they are issued these
decisions assume an executive nature within the framework of the
constitutional laws and rules of the two countries except for those
decisions which require the approval of the executive or legislative
authorities in the two countries under their constitutional provisions.

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:
A. To follow up on the implementation of the decisions and to submit
reports to the supreme council on the phases of implementation.
B. To coordinate the recommendations and decisions of the specialized
committees and to submit the proposals to the supreme council.
C. To hold meetings with the specialized committees whenever the need
arises.
D. The executive body will meet at least once every six months and more
often when necessary at a venue to be agreed upon.
3. The Foreign Affairs Committee:
A. The foreign affairs committee will consist of the two countries'
foreign ministers.
B. The foreign affairs committee will meet at least once every two
months and more often when necessary in the two countries' capitals on
a rotating basis.
C. The foreign affairs committee will seek to coordinate the foreign
policy of the two countries with regard to their relations with all
countries. The committee will work to coordinate their activities and
stands at Arab and international organizations. The relevant plans will
be drawn up and submitted to the supreme council.

4. The Economic and Social Affairs Committee:
A. The economic and social affairs committee will consist of the
ministers concerned in the two countries in economic and social sectors.
B. The economic and social affairs committee will meet in the two
countries' capitals on a rotating basis at least once every two months
and more often when necessary.
C. The economic and social affairs committee will be responsible for
working to attain economic and social coordination between the two
countries and for drawing up the recommendations that will lead to such
coordination.
D. The recommendations adopted by the economic and social affairs
committee will take effect after they have been endorsed by the supreme
council in accordance with the constitutional provisions of the two
countries.

5. The Defense and Security Affairs Committee:
A. The defense and security affairs committee will consist of the two
countries' ministers of defense and interior.
B. The defense and security affairs committee will be responsible for
studying the adequate measures needed to safeguard the two countries'
security and for suggesting joint measures to confront any aggression or
threat endangering their national security or any unrest that may
disturb their internal security.
C. All plans recommendations and measures prepared by the defense and
security affairs committee will be submitted to the supreme council for
endorsement after taking into consideration the constitutional rules of
the two countries.

6. The General Secretariat:
A. A general secretariat will be created to follow up on the
implementation of the provisions of this treaty.
B. The general secretariat will be headed by a secretary general who
will be appointed by the supreme council.
C. The headquarters specialization basis and budget of the general
secretariat will be determined by the supreme council.

Closing Provisions:
A. Special agreements shall be concluded between the two countries in
the fields covered by this treaty such as the economic security
defense and other fields in accordance with the constitutional rules
in each of the two countries and shall complement this treaty.
B. This treaty shall take effect after being ratified by the authorities
of the two countries in accordance with their constitutional provisions.
C. Each of the two countries will abrogate any law or regulation which
is not in line with this treaty. Such abrogation will be done in a way
that does not violate any constitutional provision in either country.