Syrian President al-Shara: "We are working to reach an agreement with Israel, we are avoiding confrontation"
Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara stated that Damascus does not intend to intervene militarily in Lebanon and is working toward a security agreement with Israel.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara addressed the question of Syrian involvement in Lebanon and told Al Jazeera today, Sunday, that "we do not intend to carry out any military intervention in the country." According to him, Syria is discussing with the Lebanese government solutions "that will help lead it to a safe haven," but does not intend to intervene militarily.
"The solution in Lebanon is not necessarily a security one, and we are working to formulate a comprehensive approach to the crisis," said al-Shara. He emphasized that "any chaos in Lebanon will directly affect Syria," and declared: "We support the Lebanese state holding exclusive possession of weapons and the authority to make decisions regarding war and peace."
Al-Shara stated that Syria fears the expansion of the war in the region. "We are avoiding confrontation with Israel and we have no interest in it," he emphasized. Al-Shara added that Syria is working toward "a security agreement with Israel, with the participation of a group of countries." "If the security agreement with Israel succeeds, it will pave the way for a comprehensive peace, without waiving Syria's right to the occupied Golan Heights," said al-Shara.
Regarding the economic sanctions that may be lifted, he noted that "the removal of the economic sanctions imposed on Syria will have no value without removing Syria from the list of countries supporting terrorism."
