Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa told visiting delegations that Damascus has no plans to intervene in Lebanon, according to Asharq Al-Awsat.
Al-Sharaa’s remarks came days after US President Donald Trump said that Syria is welling to intervene to address the issue of Iran-backed group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
One of those present, speaking anonymously, said Sharaa told dozens of notables and dignitaries from Damascus province that claims of Syrian intervention in Lebanon were “nothing more than rumors.”
On Thursday, the Syrian Presidency said Al-Sharaa hosted the delegation at the presidential palace in a meeting that focused on service and development concerns affecting residents of the province.
The statement did not refer to any remarks by the president on Lebanon.
War in Iran
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, targeting its leadership and triggering a new conflict in the Middle East.
Iran has been responding with a retaliatory counterattack in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, while launching barrages of missiles and drones toward Israel.
The conflict has spread across the Middle East, leaving thousands dead and triggering unprecedented disruptions to energy supplies especially after the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Lebanon Involvement
Lebanon was drawn into the conflict on March 2 when Hezbollah launched a series of attacks to support its ally, Tehran.
As a result, Israel has launched an extensive military campaign that has since killed more than 3000 people.
A diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Washington has been urging Damascus since the onset of the Israel-Hezbollah war to take action against the Iran-backed group in Lebanon, which shares a long and porous border with Syria.
Official Invitation
On Thursday, a diplomatic source told AFP that Al-Sharaa has received an invitation to visit the United States later this month.
The invitation follows recent remarks by Trump indicating that Syria could potentially assume a greater role in dealing with the Iran-backed Hezbollah issue in Lebanon.
“I’d like to see a more surgical attack on Hezbollah. I think it should be more surgical. And we can help them with that, or we can recommend Syria,” he said.
Last week, Trump told NBC that Al-Sharaa had expressed his willingness to assist in efforts against Hezbollah, which has been involved in the conflict between Iran and Israel since March 2.
“Syria’s doing a very good job of cleaning up their act. They have a very good leader. They have a leader that’s really done a good job in a short period of time. And he would love to help.”
Syrian Lebanese Relations
Syria, a longtime ally of Hezbollah under the Assad family, maintained a deep and strong presence in Lebanon for decades after intervening in its 1975-1990 civil war. In 2005, Syrian troops withdrew from the Lebanese territories. This historical fact makes any new military involvement politically sensitive.
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