Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said Thursday that Damascus is open to meeting with Hezbollah if there is a need, according to a statement reported by N12's Asaf Rozentzweig. The remarks come amid an ongoing debate in Israel and the U.S. over whether Syrian-aligned forces should take military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said Thursday that Syria is open to meeting with Hezbollah if necessary, according to a statement reported by N12 journalist Asaf Rozentzweig. The brief statement, quoting from the Syrian foreign minister's remarks, adds: 'If there is a need [to meet Hezbollah], we are open to it.'
The comment continues a pattern of Syrian leadership under President Ahmad al-Shara (formerly al-Julani) publicly signaling readiness for dialogue with the Lebanese Shia movement. As The Zioneer has reported, al-Shara said on Monday he would sit with Hezbollah 'at the same table' if it serves Syria and Lebanon, and earlier stated he 'believes in dialogue with Hezbollah even during war.' These statements by Syrian officials are viewed in Israel and Washington as attempts to maintain diplomatic flexibility while the Trump administration has proposed that Syrian-aligned forces handle Hezbollah militarily – a notion Israel's security cabinet has opposed, and which Hezbollah has threatened to resist.
The current statement does not specify a timeline, venue, or agenda for any potential meeting.
- StrongSyrian President al-Shara says would sit with Hezbollah 'at same table' if it serves Syria and Lebanon
- DevelopingSyria's al-Julani says he believes in dialogue with Hezbollah even during war
- StrongSyrian foreign minister in Beirut: Syria opposes Israeli attacks on Lebanon
- StrongTrump says Syria 'would be happy' to handle Hezbollah, Lebanese president to visit Washington
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
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