Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said during a joint press conference with the Lebanese prime minister in Beirut that Syria opposes Israeli attacks on Lebanon. He added that a framework agreement with Lebanon is an internal matter for Beirut to decide, but expressed hope for a calm atmosphere leading to sustainable stability.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, during a joint press conference in Beirut with the Lebanese prime minister, stated Syria opposes Israeli attacks on Lebanon and characterized a framework agreement with Lebanon as an internal matter for Beirut, while expressing hope for calm leading to sustainable stability.
This position, reported at 12:58 Jerusalem, builds on al-Shibani's earlier statement at 11:22 today that Syria has no intention of invading Lebanon or fighting Hezbollah. The visit follows a preliminary report (Tue Jun 30, 10:43 Jerusalem) that Syria's message to Beirut was one of non-interference in Lebanon's internal affairs. The thread has evolved from an initial unconfirmed report of a meeting with President Aoun at 11:22, to confirmation of meetings with both Aoun and Parliament Speaker Berri, to the current ministerial comments, with Syrian state media as the stated source for the no-fighting-Hezbollah claim.
As The Zioneer has reported, this diplomatic push unfolds against a backdrop of Israeli security cabinet discussions on Lebanon (Tue Jun 9), Foreign Minister Sa'ar stating Israel has no territorial ambitions there (Mon Jun 22), and Iran condemning Israeli strikes in Lebanon (Fri Jun 19).
What remains open: Neither al-Shibani nor the Lebanese prime minister specified which Israeli actions constitute the attacks he referred to. No immediate response from Israel or Hezbollah to the minister's remarks has been reported.
4 developments
- DevelopingSyrian foreign minister to visit Beirut this week, meet Lebanese parliament speaker
- DevelopingSyrian foreign minister says open to meeting Hezbollah if needed
- StrongForeign Minister Sa'ar backs Lebanon deal, says it legitimizes IDF presence in south
- DevelopingIranian Foreign Ministry condemns Israeli strikes in Lebanon, warns of regional consequences
Source and signal
- Internal intake