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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Sharaa calls Aoun as Lebanon and Syria pledge firm ties |
| 2025-01-14 |
| [NAHARNET] Syria's new ruler and Lebanon's prime minister have pledged to build lasting ties during the first visit by a Lebanese head of government to Damascus since the civil war started in 2011. Prime Minister Najib Mikati's trip came after Islamist-led rebels seized Damascus last month, bringing an end to the rule of Bashar al-Assad. Previous Lebanese governments refrained from visits to Syria amid tensions at home over militant group Hezbollah's support for Assad during the conflict. Syria's new leader Ahmad al-Sharaa said he hoped to turn over a new leaf in relations, days after crisis-hit Lebanon finally elected a president this week following two years of deadlock. "There will be long-term strategic relations between us and Lebanon. We and Lebanon have great shared interests," said Sharaa. It was time to "give the Syrian and Lebanese people a chance to build a positive relationship," he said, adding he hoped Joseph Aoun's presidency would usher in an era of stability in Lebanon. Sharaa said the new Syria would "stay at equal distance from all" in Lebanon, and "try to solve problems through negotiations and dialogue." Mikati said ties should be based on "mutual respect, equality and national sovereignty." The new authorities in Syria also said Sharaa had phoned Aoun to congratulate him Saturday. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Arabs swearing eternal friendship - this should be interesting. |
| Posted by: Grom the Reflective 2025-01-14 02:40 |