Sharaa rules out military role in Lebanon, credits Erdogan, Saudi for Trump sanctions breakthrough
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has said his country does not intend to intervene militarily in Lebanon but is prepared to offer the Lebanese state several options to address its challenges.
“We are not considering military intervention, but Syria has several cards that it can offer the Lebanese state to use as it sees fit,” al-Sharaa said in an interview with the Qatari Al Jazeera channel.
He said Damascus is discussing “a range of solutions” with the Lebanese government that could help bring the country to safety and allow it to benefit from Syria’s current recovery.
Al-Sharaa voiced “deep” concern that turmoil inside Lebanon could “negatively” affect Syria.
“The continued presence of weapons outside the authority of the Lebanese state will have major negative consequences for the region,” he said.
The president stressed Syria’s support for the Lebanese state having exclusive authority over law enforcement, weapons and decisions of war and peace.
Related
Praise for sanctions relief mediation
Al-Sharaa also hailed the role played by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Arabia in lifting US sanctions on Syria.
“His Excellency President Erdogan and Saudi Arabia mediated last year with US President Donald Trump to lift the sanctions on Syria,” Sharaa said in the interview.
Last year, Washington issued Syria General License 25 and granted exemptions under the Caesar Act to facilitate investment supporting Syria’s recovery.
