US wants intervention, but Syria signals diplomacy after FM’s Lebanon trip

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has signaled Damascus's diplomatic approach by including Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in his recent Beirut visit. Berri is a key ally of the powerful Hezbollah group. This move directly contrasts with repeated calls from U.S. President Donald Trump for Syria to take the lead in disarming Hezbollah.

Syria has shown reluctance to engage in a U.S.-requested intervention. Al-Shaibani's decision to meet with Berri, a prominent figure within the Shia leadership, represents a shift from his previous visit in October when he avoided such engagement. This suggests that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa prefers maintaining open communication channels with all Lebanese political components, even those closely aligned with Hezbollah.

Nawar Hawach, a senior Syria analyst at the International Crisis Group, noted that the meeting with Berri indicates Damascus's desire for a working relationship across the Lebanese political spectrum. Despite historical complexities and past Syrian influence in Lebanon, the current Syrian government appears to be navigating its relationship with its neighbor through diplomatic engagement rather than military action.

The broader context of Syrian-Lebanese relations is marked by a long and often complicated history. Syria occupied Lebanon from 1976 to 2005, and even after its withdrawal, maintained significant influence. However, the recent change in Syrian leadership, with the al-Assad regime ousted after years of conflict, presents an opportunity to redefine the relationship between Damascus and Beirut. The current Syrian government's engagement with Lebanese officials, including those associated with Hezbollah, underscores a new diplomatic strategy.

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It shows that Damascus wants a working line to every Lebanese component, including the bloc closest to Hezbollah.