Sharaa Rules Out Syrian Troops in Lebanon as Trump Pushes Damascus to Tackle Hezbollah
Updated
Updated · Middle East Eye · Jun 27
Sharaa Rules Out Syrian Troops in Lebanon as Trump Pushes Damascus to Tackle Hezbollah
3 articles · Updated · Middle East Eye · Jun 27
Summary
Ahmed al-Sharaa told Lebanese and Syrian audiences that Damascus will not take a military or security role in Lebanon, aiming to calm fears stirred by Donald Trump’s repeated comments about Syria handling Hezbollah.
Trump escalated those comments from 5 June to 21 June, saying he had suggested Syria “take care of Hezbollah” and was “close to giving it over to Syria,” without clarifying whether he meant force, mediation or border pressure.
Damascus has instead framed its role around politics and economics, with Sharaa saying Syria wants to strengthen the Lebanese state, open economic channels and is willing to talk to all Lebanese parties, including Hezbollah.
Beirut said the clarification was positively received, but conflicting signals remain after Reuters reported US discussions about a Syrian role and US envoy Tom Barrack publicly denied Washington had pushed for Syrian forces to enter Lebanon.