Beirut
Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said during an official visit to Beirut on Thursday that Damascus remains open to holding discussions with the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah if doing so serves the interests of both sides.
His remarks came during his first official trip to Lebanon since recent comments by United States President Donald Trump suggested that Syrian forces could potentially confront Hezbollah inside Lebanon.
During his visit, Shibani met several senior Lebanese leaders, including President Joseph Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a longtime political ally of Hezbollah.
The meetings focused on strengthening bilateral relations, regional stability, and expanding cooperation between the neighboring countries as both governments navigate an evolving political landscape in the Middle East.
According to Lebanon’s state news agency, Shibani clarified that the issue of Hezbollah was not directly discussed during his meetings with Lebanese officials. However, he stated that Syria remained willing to meet representatives of the group if circumstances or mutual interests required such engagement.
His comments reflected Damascus’ cautious diplomatic approach as it seeks to maintain stability while rebuilding regional relationships.
The visit comes against the backdrop of changing political dynamics in Syria following the rise of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose administration replaced former President Bashar al-Assad after years of civil conflict. Before assuming power, Sharaa and many members of Syria’s current leadership had fought against Hezbollah, whose fighters supported Assad’s government throughout much of Syria’s prolonged civil war.
Now leading the country, Syria’s new government faces the challenge of balancing domestic reconstruction with regional diplomacy. After more than fourteen years of conflict, Damascus is seeking to stabilize the country while carefully managing relationships with neighboring states and influential regional actors.
President Joseph Aoun’s office said Sharaa had assured Lebanon that Syria would not interfere in the country’s internal political affairs. The assurance was viewed as an important step toward improving trust between the two governments and reducing concerns about external involvement in Lebanon’s domestic issues.
Since taking office, Syria’s new administration has strengthened ties with the United States and maintained a relatively limited role in the broader regional confrontation involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The government has focused primarily on internal recovery and diplomatic engagement rather than direct participation in ongoing regional conflicts.
Meanwhile, tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border continue despite international efforts to reduce hostilities. Hezbollah’s conflict with Israel has caused widespread destruction across southern Lebanon, although recent diplomatic initiatives have produced a temporary reduction in fighting without achieving a comprehensive peace agreement.
