Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa has informed visitors that Damascus has no intention of intervening in Lebanon, according to two sources who spoke to AFP. This comes days after US President Donald Trump suggested Syria might be willing to act against Hezbollah.
Sharaa Dismisses Intervention Rumors
One of the attendees, who requested anonymity, stated that Sharaa told dozens of notables and dignitaries from the Damascus province that rumors about Syria entering Lebanon are baseless. The Syrian presidency confirmed that Sharaa met with the delegation at the presidential palace, focusing on service and development issues, but the official statement did not mention Sharaa's remarks on Lebanon.
Ongoing Conflict in Lebanon
The denial comes as Israel and Hezbollah continue to clash, despite a conditional ceasefire announced earlier this month in Washington. Hezbollah rejected the agreement, which does not require Israel to cease attacks or withdraw troops from Lebanon. Trump, in an interview with NBC, expressed a desire for a more surgical approach against Hezbollah and suggested Syria could play a role, praising Sharaa as a capable leader.
Syrian Stance on Lebanese Sovereignty
Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddine Al-Baba stated that Damascus supports Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in preserving Lebanon's security and sovereignty. He emphasized that coordination with Lebanon is key to any Syrian role in resolving Lebanese issues. Responding to Trump's comments, Baba noted that both Syria and Lebanon are best positioned to interpret such statements within a common Arab vision.
Syria, historically a dominant force in Lebanon and an ally of Hezbollah under the Assad regime, has shifted its stance after the fall of Bashar Assad in 2024. The new authorities in Damascus are now hostile to Hezbollah, which previously fought alongside the Syrian government during its civil war.
