BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 2. Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has said Damascus is open to holding talks with Hezbollah representatives if doing so serves the country's interests.
Al-Shaibani made the remarks during a visit to Lebanon, where he met President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a key Hezbollah ally.
The visit marks a significant diplomatic development, as Syria's current leadership, formed by former rebel groups, fought against Hezbollah for years while the Lebanese movement backed former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the country's civil war.
According to Lebanon's National News Agency, Al-Shaibani said Syria is prepared to meet Hezbollah representatives "if interests require it." If such a meeting takes place, it would be the first official contact between the two sides since Syria's new leadership came to power.
The visit also comes as Damascus continues to insist it has no intention of intervening militarily in Lebanon despite pressure from the United States. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that Syria could "take care of Hezbollah" while criticizing Israel for failing to eliminate the Lebanese armed group.
