Syria’s Asaad al-Shibani Says Damascus Will Meet Hezbollah If Interests Require It

Syria’s foreign minister Asaad al-Shibani told Lebanese leaders in Beirut that Damascus was open to meeting Hezbollah “if interests require it,” as the visit came after U.S. President Donald Trump raised the possibility of Syrian forces combating Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“Syria and Lebanon have long had a complicated relationship, with forces from each country intervening in the other over the years”

Al Jazeera

The Express Tribune said Shibani met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and parliament speaker Nabih Berri, and that Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa had previously denied rumours about any Syrian presence entering Lebanon.

Al Jazeera

In the same reporting, Trump said last month he had spoken to Sharaa about combating Hezbollah and argued, “I suggested to Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah, because to be honest with you, I think they do a better job of doing it,” while Shibani said the “Hezbollah file” was not raised during his meetings.

The Express Tribune also quoted Aoun’s office saying Sharaa assured him Syria would not take sides in Lebanon’s internal affairs, and it described a signed agreement establishing a high-level cooperation committee to strengthen bilateral ties.

The National added that Jeffrey Feltman dismissed Trump’s proposal as “preposterous,” arguing that if Israel could not eliminate Hezbollah, Syria would be even less capable, and linking the idea to the risk of reigniting sectarian tensions.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa pledged a “new chapter” in relations, assuring him that Damascus would stand alongside all Lebanese rather than one party against another, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency.

Aoun also said he welcomed repeated assurances that “Syria's role will not be like it was in the past,” and he described coordination on border security and efforts to prevent the smuggling of people and weapons.

El-Nashra

In parallel, The National quoted Jeffrey Feltman saying, “It's a preposterous idea but it's not just a throwaway line,” and he argued the suggestion reflected “real ignorance” of the logistical and historical complications of Syria’s involvement in Lebanon.

The Express Tribune reported that Shibani said the “Hezbollah file” was not raised during his meetings, but that Syria was open to meeting the group, NNA cited him as saying.

The National further framed the trilateral US-brokered framework as not mentioning Israeli “withdrawal” from south Lebanon but referring to “eventual redeployment” contingent on dismantling and disarmament of Hezbollah, leaving a “fragile status quo.”

During Shibani’s Beirut visit, Lebanon and Syria signed an agreement establishing a Joint Higher Committee to deepen cooperation in political, economic and security fields, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam saying it would coordinate efforts on electricity interconnection, transport, trade, cross-border movement and broader bilateral relations.

“Hezbollah fires missiles toward Kfartebnit”

L'Orient-Le Jour

TRT World reported Aoun said the visit “has eased concerns” that Damascus intends to interfere in Lebanon’s internal affairs, and it quoted Aoun saying the Syrian delegation stressed cooperation should take place exclusively “from state to state,” rather than through political parties or factions.

In a separate denial, Al-Sharaa told a televised audience that “We are looking for economic lines between Lebanon and Syria, not military lines,” and he added that his approach with the United States rests on the need for the war to stop.

Al-Sharaa also said, “If this serves Lebanon and secures Syrian interests, why not?” when asked about sitting with Hezbollah at the same table, while TRT World said Shibani’s visit reflected Syria’s commitment to building “sound relations” based on mutual respect, sovereignty and non-interference.

The Express Tribune noted that Syria’s new government under former al Qaeda commander Sharaa had emerged as a US ally since his forces toppled Assad in 2024, and it said Damascus had largely stayed out of the regional war between the US and Israel, and Iran.