Lebanese officials continued to respond to statements by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Damascus’ rejection of intervention in Lebanese affairs.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam praised what he described as the “brotherly and frank position toward Lebanon” expressed by President al-Sharaa during his televised interview with al-Mashhad on Sunday, 21 June.
During a phone call with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on Monday, 22 June, Salam said al-Sharaa’s statements put an end to speculation and misleading assumptions about Syria’s intentions toward Lebanon.
He stressed the strength of relations between the two brotherly countries and the need to continue working to consolidate them on new foundations of cooperation, from state to state, and based on shared interests.
For his part, Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri said the Syrian president’s position toward Lebanon had become clear.
Mitri added in a post on X that al-Sharaa’s statements reassure Lebanese people of his concern for their country’s unity and reinforce the building of a Syrian-Lebanese relationship based on trust, respect for sovereignty, and mutual interest.
Mitri expressed appreciation for al-Sharaa’s approach to Lebanon.
The Syrian president had spoken about Damascus’ position on intervention in Lebanon, after repeated statements by US President Donald Trump urging al-Sharaa to confront Hezbollah.
During a special interview with al-Mashhad, broadcast on Sunday, 21 June, al-Sharaa addressed Damascus’ view of the Lebanese crisis and the role Syria could play in supporting stability and finding political exits from the crisis. He also discussed the relationship with various Lebanese forces and the importance of dialogue in addressing pending issues.
Damascus’ Policy Toward Lebanon
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said US President Donald Trump had expressed frustration over what is happening in Lebanon and is seeking to stop the war.
He added that talk about Syria’s role in seeking a safe and calm solution had been misunderstood by some, as if it meant Syria would enter Lebanon tomorrow morning.
The US president had spoken in more than one statement about the possibility of Syria playing a role in the war against Lebanese Hezbollah.
Damascus rejected the military option in dealing with Lebanon, while emphasizing cooperation with the Lebanese government on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty.
Al-Sharaa explained that Syria can be relied on to support the Lebanese state, strengthen its official institutions, and create links among Lebanese forces, including Hezbollah, considering that piecemeal solutions carry major problems.
He also stressed that Syria extends its hand to Lebanon every day, and that the stability and security of the two countries are interconnected.
Al-Sharaa said Syria is looking for economic channels with Lebanon, not military ones, noting that Syria’s role in Lebanon should be positive and in line with the interests of both countries.
The Syrian president said Syria today has begun to form a strategic link between East and West, and that the Mediterranean coasts have become highly important in supply and delivery chains. He said the relationship between Syria and Lebanon should begin from points of convergence, not points of disagreement, and that Lebanon should benefit from Syria.
Al-Sharaa added that Syria has enough courage to state clearly if it wanted to enter any conflict or war, stressing that it intends only good for its people in Lebanon, and that its role toward Lebanon remains purely positive and is determined according to Lebanese and Syrian interests alike.
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