Syria won't intervene militarily in Lebanon, president says, despite US talk

Syria has signaled it will not engage militarily in Lebanon, despite reports of potential US encouragement for intervention. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa emphasized a preference for diplomatic and economic solutions, stating Syria's goal is to "anchor a new security path" and "back the Lebanese state, strengthen its institutions."

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Lebanon needs joint solutions, and Syria is ready to anchor a new security path…Our goal is to back the Lebanese state, strengthen its institutions.

This stance comes after US President Donald Trump reportedly expressed disappointment with Israel's inability to quickly defeat Hezbollah and considered Syria's potential involvement. Trump was quoted as saying he was "close to giving it over to Syria."

However, the Sharaa government has adopted a cautious approach, reportedly preventing smuggling to Hezbollah but avoiding a new war. Syria has past experience intervening in Lebanon, maintaining a presence from 1976 until 2005, a period that ended after public demand following the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Syria was perceived at the time as working with Hezbollah.

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We are looking for economic channels between Lebanon and Syria, not military ones.

Al-Sharaa clarified in a television interview that Syria is "looking for economic channels between Lebanon and Syria, not military ones." This suggests a focus on regional stability through non-military means, despite the complex history and ongoing conflict involving Hezbollah.

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I’m disappointed Israel can’t put Hezbollah away…I’m close to giving it over to Syria.