Key facts
- Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani visited Lebanon, meeting Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
- The visit aimed to reassure Lebanon about Syria's intentions amid US pressure on Damascus to confront Hezbollah.
- US President Donald Trump suggested Syria could play a role in addressing Hezbollah.
- Syria conveyed to Lebanon that it faces intense US pressure to intervene militarily against Hezbollah.
- Damascus suggested that Hezbollah transfer control of disputed border areas to the Lebanese army to reduce tensions.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani conducted a significant visit to Lebanon, including a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a close political ally of Hezbollah. This visit occurred amidst growing US pressure on Syria to address the Lebanese group's activities.
For Lebanon, the trip served to provide reassurance that Syria's new administration does not intend to succumb to US pressure by intervening militarily in Lebanon. For Damascus, it was an opportunity to communicate the pressures it faces and signal that Hezbollah could help de-escalate tensions along the Lebanese-Syrian border.
A senior Lebanese official stated that the visit was coordinated to send a clear message about Syria's intentions, emphasizing that the new Syrian administration poses no threat to Lebanon's state or sovereignty. Shaibani's meeting with Berri was a departure from his previous visit, highlighting Berri's role as a natural intermediary due to his close ties with Damascus and his position as Hezbollah's most important domestic ally.
During the visit, Shaibani publicly stated Syria's openness to meeting with Hezbollah if national interests require it, echoing similar sentiments from Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. These public signals have been accompanied by a softening in Hezbollah's rhetoric towards Syria's new leadership, with officials suggesting direct contact is now feasible.
The visit took place against a backdrop of explicit comments from US President Donald Trump suggesting Syria could play a role in confronting Hezbollah. Trump suggested that Syria might be better equipped to handle Hezbollah and indicated discussions with President al-Sharaa on the matter.
Shaibani reportedly informed Berri that Damascus is facing intense US pressure for military intervention against Hezbollah along the northeastern frontier. He expressed frustration that Hezbollah was not doing enough to help Syria resist this pressure, particularly regarding positions in disputed border areas. Shaibani suggested that transferring control of these areas to the Lebanese army could reduce tensions and deprive advocates of military action of a key argument. He also conveyed that Syria wishes to avoid escalating Sunni-Shia tensions, recognizing the broader regional instability such a conflict could cause.