DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇱 Israel /Elections & Politics

Syrian foreign minister visits Beirut after Trump suggests Syria should fight Hezbollah

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • Syria's foreign minister visited Beirut to meet Lebanese leaders amid discussions about Syria potentially combating Hezbollah.
  • The visit follows US President Donald Trump's suggestion that Syria could be more effective than Israel in fighting Hezbollah.
  • Syria's government has denied rumors of intervention, wary of being drawn into regional conflict and exacerbating sectarian tensions.

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani traveled to Beirut for meetings with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah. This visit marks al-Shibani's first trip to Lebanon since US President Donald Trump suggested that Syrian forces could be instrumental in combating Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Trump had previously stated he spoke with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa about confronting Hezbollah, criticizing Israel's approach and suggesting Syria might be more effective. "I suggested to Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah, because to be honest with you, I think they do a better job of doing it," Trump said last month.

I suggested to Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah, because to be honest with you, I think they do a better job of doing it.

— Donald TrumpTrump's suggestion regarding Syria's role in combating Hezbollah.

However, the Syrian government has actively dismissed such notions. President al-Sharaa has denied rumors about any Syrian presence entering Lebanon, calling them "completely unfounded" according to Syrian state media. This stance reflects Damascus's caution about being drawn into the wider regional conflict and potentially inflaming sectarian tensions within Syria and Lebanon.

Syria's new government, led by former al Qaeda commander al-Sharaa, has aligned with the US since toppling former President Bashar al-Assad in 2024. While largely staying out of the current regional war involving the US, Israel, and Iran, Syria faces a delicate balancing act. The country is still recovering from a 14-year civil war, and its leadership must carefully calibrate alliances and military actions. Historically, Syria under the Assad family exerted significant influence over Lebanon, with troops present from 1976 until their withdrawal in 2005. Any Syrian intervention today could reignite sectarian divisions among Lebanon's diverse population, which includes Sunni Muslims, Shi'ite Muslims, Christians, and Druze.

the rumors circulating about Syria entering Lebanon are completely unfounded.

— Ahmed al-SharaaSyrian President al-Sharaa's denial of interventionist rumors.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog