Lebanese officials have welcomed comments by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa , ruling out military intervention in Lebanon , saying his remarks helped dispel concerns over Damascus's intentions and opened the way for a new phase in relations between the two countries.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam discussed Sharaa's comments during a phone call with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on Monday, according to a statement from Lebanon's premiership.
Salam praised Sharaa's "fraternal and frank" position towards Lebanon, saying the Syrian leader's remarks had put an end to "misleading speculation and assumptions" about Syria's intentions.
The Lebanese government said the call reaffirmed the strength of ties between the two countries and the need to build relations on "new foundations of cooperation, state to state, and based on shared interests".
Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri also welcomed Sharaa's remarks, saying the Syrian president had demonstrated a commitment to Lebanon's unity, stability and sovereignty.
"His position confirms to the Lebanese that he is keen on their country's unity and peace, and on building a Syrian-Lebanese relationship oriented towards the future, based on trust, respect for sovereignty and shared interests," Mitri wrote on X.
The comments came after Sharaa told UAE-based Al Mashhad TV on Sunday that Damascus had no intention of intervening militarily in Lebanon or taking part in any military campaign against Hezbollah, adding that recent remarks by US President Donald Trump suggesting a possible Syrian role in confronting the group had been misunderstood.
Sharaa said discussions had focused on Syria helping find a peaceful and secure way out of the crisis rather than any direct military intervention.
Lebanese government sources told The New Arab that Beirut had taken Trump's comments seriously and had sought clarification from Damascus.
According to the sources, Syrian officials assured Lebanon that there would be no Syrian military intervention. Meanwhile, Lebanese officials made clear they would reject any such move and had conveyed the same position to Washington.
The sources said Lebanon remained committed to preserving its sovereignty and opposed any military solution, particularly foreign military intervention on its territory. Syria won't rule out talks with Hezbollah Sharaa also said he would not rule out dialogue with Hezbollah if it served the interests of both Lebanon and Syria .
"If talks with Hezbollah were expected to serve Lebanon and secure Syria's interests, then why not?" he told Al Mashhad TV. Despite Hezbollah's support for former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the Syrian civil war, Sharaa said dialogue should remain possible even with opposing parties.
"I believe in dialogue, even with opposing parties. Dialogue must remain and continue even during war," he said.
The Syrian leader also revealed that Damascus had been in contact with both the United States and France to help end the conflict in Lebanon and secure guarantees for Syria's security.
The issue gained prominence after Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem claimed on Friday that an American-Israeli plan had sought to eliminate Hezbollah and maintain Israel's occupation, including through pressure on Syria to intervene from Lebanon's eastern border.
Qassem said Damascus had rejected such proposals.