Damascus: Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa stated that a 'deep Syrian wound' persists due to Hezbollah's previous involvement in Syria, while emphasizing the need for a political resolution to Lebanon's ongoing crisis. 'There is a major Syrian wound that is still alive to this day, and Hezbollah is part of it,' Sharaa remarked during an interview with Al Mashhad TV in Damascus. Despite these grievances, he expressed Syria's readiness to engage with the Lebanese group if it benefits both nations, stating, 'We will sit at the same table with Hezbollah if it serves the interests of Syria and Lebanon.'
According to Anadolu Agency, Hezbollah entered the Syrian civil war in 2013, supporting the former President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The group's confrontation with Israel heightened in 2024, leading to the withdrawal of a significant number of fighters back to Lebanon. The eventual offensive by Syrian opposition forces and the Assad regime's downfall in December 2024 marked the end of Hezbollah's military presence in Syria.
Sharaa highlighted the suffering of both Syrian and Lebanese people under the previous Syrian regime and noted that some Lebanese factions remain tied to past conflicts. He warned against seeking solutions in Lebanon through warfare, emphasizing that renewed conflict would have serious consequences for Syria. He advocated for a halt to the war and political consensus as a means to resolve the crisis.
The Syrian president revealed a 'different approach' he proposed to French President Emmanuel Macron for ending Lebanon's war. He also mentioned US President Donald Trump's dissatisfaction with the situation in Lebanon, noting Trump's remarks might have been misunderstood. Earlier, Trump expressed his disappointment regarding Israel's handling of Hezbollah, suggesting Syria could effectively manage the group.
Sharaa outlined Syria's vision of strengthening Lebanon's state and institutions, urging Hezbollah to align with Lebanese national interests. He criticized the group's influence over Lebanon's war and peace decisions, arguing that armed forces outside state control hinder development and institution-building.
Sharaa called for reconciliation and a reassessment of past events, emphasizing the protection of Lebanon's Shiite community. He stressed that the loss of any Lebanese societal component would be a regional loss. Concluding his statements, Sharaa asserted Syria's focus on economic development and clarified that Syria has no intentions of engaging in war.