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No Troops, Talks Instead
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa denied on Sunday that his country sought to intervene militarily in Lebanon where Israel and Hezbollah are at war, after US President Donald Trump repeatedly suggested Damascus could get involved.
“if this serves Lebanon's interests and safeguards Syria's interests, why not?”
In an interview broadcast on television channel Al Mashhad, al-Sharaa said, "We are looking for economic channels between Lebanon and Syria, not military ones," and he framed the goal as restoring support for the Lebanese state and strengthening its institutions.
The National reported that al-Sharaa said he was open to sitting down with Hezbollah "if this serves Lebanon's interests and safeguards Syria's interests, why not?" while rejecting any Syrian military intervention in Lebanon.
The Jerusalem Post also tied the renewed discussion to Washington’s concern over Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah and Trump’s view that Israel could not defeat Hezbollah quickly enough, prompting consideration of whether Syria might help.
France 24 (AFP) reported that an Iran-US deal signed this week on ending the regional conflict includes Lebanon, where fighting has paused since Saturday evening, as al-Sharaa reiterated his refusal of a military role.
Trump’s Push, Sharaa’s Response
Trump’s remarks to Fox News on Sunday included that he was "disappointed Israel can't put Hezbollah away," and he added, "I'm close to giving it over to Syria," as the conflict threatened to derail US-Iranian negotiations underway in Switzerland.
Al-Monitor reported that Sharaa said Trump’s request was misinterpreted, arguing that Trump spoke about Syria’s role in seeking a safe and peaceful solution rather than Syria entering Lebanon immediately.
In the same Al Mashhad interview, Sharaa told Al Mashhad’s Tony Khalife, "We are looking for economic channels between Lebanon and Syria, not military ones," and he said he had repeatedly discussed the Lebanese issue with Trump.
The Times of Israel quoted Sharaa saying, "The crisis in Lebanon is very serious and there is a deadlock in political solutions," and it reported that he rejected Syrian forces going to war against Hezbollah.
Saudi Gazette (West Asian) added that Sharaa said, "we proposed with the United States that the war must stop," and he described solutions as including economic, political and social measures plus security measures responding to Syrian, Lebanese, and Israeli concerns.
What’s at Stake Next
The National said Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam spoke by phone on Monday with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani and praised what he described as al-Sharaa's "fraternal and candid" stance toward Lebanon, while the two sides emphasized ties and "new foundations of co-operation" based on shared interests.
“obstruct Lebanon’s peace process and delay the disarmament of Hezbollah”
The Syrian Observer described a broader dilemma in which Damascus emphasized that its role in Lebanon does not involve military intervention, while Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem thanked Damascus for refusing to participate in a military "pincer movement" alongside Israel.
The Syrian Observer also said Washington’s view of Trump’s proposal is a political probe and that it functions as a way to constrain Iranian influence in the Levant, with Damascus holding cards Israel cannot play alone.
In parallel, The Jerusalem Post reported that the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Marada Movement chief Suleiman Franjieh and Hezbollah political council deputy head Mahmoud Qmati, targeting them for using their influence to "obstruct Lebanon’s peace process and delay the disarmament of Hezbollah."
Against that backdrop, France 24 (AFP) reported that Sharaa said Syria offers "many tools for having a positive impact within Lebanon, but this also depends primarily on Lebanon's agreement," and it reiterated that he would sit with Hezbollah only if it serves Lebanon’s and Syria’s interests.
