President Ahmed al-Sharaa: Syria seeking security deal with Israel
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that Damascus is pursuing a security agreement with Israel involving multiple countries, which he hopes could lead to comprehensive regional peace while preserving Syria's claims to the occupied Golan Heights. He also denied intentions to intervene militarily in Lebanon and emphasized Syria's support for restricting weapons to the Lebanese state.
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa disclosed that his government is actively negotiating a security arrangement with Israel with participation from several nations. Al-Sharaa expressed optimism that such an agreement could serve as a foundation for broader regional peace initiatives. He emphasized that any security deal would not diminish Syria's rights regarding the Golan Heights, which Israel has occupied since 1973. The Syrian leader indicated that Damascus is pursuing a strategy of avoiding military confrontation with Israel while positioning a security arrangement as a potential pathway toward more comprehensive conflict resolution. This diplomatic effort follows multiple Israeli military incursions and strikes in southern Syria since al-Sharaa assumed power in December 2024 following the collapse of the previous government. Regarding Lebanon, al-Sharaa categorically rejected speculation about Syrian military intervention, stating instead that Damascus is engaged in discussions with Lebanese authorities to address the country's ongoing crisis. He reaffirmed Syria's commitment to supporting Lebanese state authority over weapons and military decisions. Al-Sharaa cautioned that instability in Lebanon would directly affect Syria and warned that expansion of regional conflicts involving the United States and Israel could trigger severe regional consequences. On the domestic front, al-Sharaa argued that removing US and international economic sanctions alone would prove insufficient without Syria's removal from the state sponsors of terrorism list. Regarding internal agreements with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces controlling northern and eastern territories, he acknowledged implementation delays while affirming continued government commitment. Al-Sharaa announced the establishment of a special committee to address missing persons from Syria's 2011-2024 conflict, with UN estimates suggesting approximately 100,000 individuals were forcibly disappeared.
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