President Donald Trump praised Syrian President Abu Mohammad al-Julani, calling his leadership 'outstanding' and saying he 'unified the country in a year and a half.' In remarks reported Wednesday evening, Trump suggested al-Julani would handle Hezbollah without 'knocking down buildings' and instead act with surgical precision. Trump acknowledged that Lebanon may not want such intervention.
President Donald Trump again proposed that Syria should confront Hezbollah in Lebanon, this time offering extended praise for Syrian President Abu Mohammad al-Julani in remarks reported Wednesday evening by journalists Amichai Stein (i24NEWS) and Asaf Rozentzweig (N12), as well as the Abu Ali Express outlet.
The comments, which Trump made in what appears to be an interview, included a lengthy characterization of al-Julani's leadership. Trump said al-Julani had 'done an outstanding job' and 'managed to unify the country within a year and a half.' He recounted being warned that al-Julani was 'a very violent person, al-Qaeda,' and responded that 'a Boy Scout wouldn't solve the problem.' Trump argued that al-Julani 'would be happy to deal with Hezbollah' — an enemy of his — and would do so by 'going and grabbing him, in a focused and precise manner,' without collapsing buildings every time someone is inside.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Wednesday evening (19:20), Trump told reporters that Israel 'can do a better job' regarding Hezbollah. The President has publicly advocated for a Syrian role in Lebanon since at least last week, receiving pushback from Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa — the birth name of al-Julani — who rejected a U.S. proposal to intervene militarily, according to a Kan News report published Tuesday. In Wednesday's remarks, Trump acknowledged that 'maybe Lebanon doesn't want this' and that the U.S. must 'also take into account Lebanon's position.'
The exact setting of Trump's latest comments — whether further portions of an earlier interview or new remarks — remains unclear from the available reports.
4 developments
- StrongTrump says Syria 'would be happy' to handle Hezbollah, Lebanese president to visit Washington
- DevelopingTrump, in NBC Interview, Endorses 'More Surgical' Strikes on Hezbollah and Praises Syrian Leadership
- StrongGoldblatt: Trump acknowledges Israeli fighting against Hezbollah in Lebanon will continue
- ConfirmedTrump Slams Israel's Lebanon Campaign as 'Mini-War,' Suggests Syria Should Handle Hezbollah
Source and signal
- Internal intake