Syrian Minister of Justice Mazhar al-Wais on Thursday received an Iraqi judicial delegation led by Faiq Zaidan, President of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council, at Tishreen Palace in Damascus. The visit marks another step in the rapid expansion of Syrian–Iraqi relations following the political transition that ended the rule of former President Bashar al-Assad.
During the meeting, Mr. al-Wais and Mr. Zaidan discussed broad avenues for strengthening judicial cooperation between the two countries. The Syrian Minister emphasized that future coordination will prioritize joint efforts to combat terrorism, organized crime, narcotics trafficking, and cross-border offenses.
According to the Ministry of Justice, Mr. al-Wais stressed that the new Syria is committed to cultivating balanced and constructive relations with neighboring states, grounded in “mutual respect and shared interests.” He noted that national unity is not a slogan but a continuing responsibility rooted in protecting citizens, respecting diversity, and ensuring equality before the law.
Describing judicial reform as an ongoing process informed by comparative Arab and international experience, Mr. al-Wais underscored that respect for sovereignty, good-neighborly relations, and enhanced regional cooperation remain essential foundations for stability and peace. He affirmed that Damascus seeks to build a more efficient justice system, deepen diplomatic partnerships, and contribute to a safer regional environment. Given the historical ties, geographic proximity, and shared interests linking the two nations, he said Syria and Iraq are well positioned to establish durable judicial cooperation.
Mr. al-Wais added that Syrian–Iraqi relations have witnessed steady growth across economic and security domains, and that Damascus is eager to expand technical and legal collaboration. Genuine stability, he said, can only be anchored in justice and the rule of law.
For his part, Mr. Zaidan expressed Iraq’s readiness to provide full judicial assistance to Syria, praising ongoing state-building efforts across all sectors. Speaking on behalf of the Iraqi judiciary, he voiced strong support for Syria’s national reconstruction and reiterated Baghdad’s commitment to facilitating legal cooperation.
In a related development, Al Araby TV reported that the visit may lead to the signing of a bilateral agreement governing the transfer and trial of Syrian detainees. According to the network, Damascus has submitted amendments to a framework initially proposed by Baghdad, and a joint Syrian–Iraqi committee will be formed to review the agreement alongside Syria’s revisions.
The post Faiq Zaidan in Damascus: Syrian–Iraqi Judicial Talks with the Detainee File on the Table first appeared on The Syrian Observer.
