Dialogue between Syria and Hezbollah? Qassem: 'Ready to meet'

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said there is no obstacle to an official meeting between the organization and the Syrian leadership in the future, marking the first public expression of interest of its kind. He stressed that a stable Syria supports Lebanon and vice versa, and that Lebanon's stability is based on stability in the south. Qassem supported the deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani and stated that Israel's only option is a full withdrawal. Syrian President al-Sharaa said in an interview with Al Jazeera that Damascus is in contact with Beirut to ensure the stability of its neighbor.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said today (Tuesday) that there is no obstacle to an official meeting between Hezbollah and the Syrian leadership in the future. This is Hezbollah's first public expression of interest in such a meeting, which has also been voiced recently by the other side, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The Hezbollah Secretary-General stressed that "a stable Syria is a support for Lebanon, just as a stable Lebanon is a support for Syria." Qassem said that Lebanon's stability "is based on stability in southern Lebanon," and added that the only option facing Israel is "full withdrawal." "Hezbollah supports the deployment of the Lebanese army in the area south of the Litani River," Qassem said, adding that the organization welcomes this and "will assist to the fullest extent, as it has in the past." In an interview given by Syrian President al-Sharaa to Al Jazeera a few days ago, he addressed the situation in Lebanon and said that Damascus is in contact with the government in Beirut to ensure the stability of its neighbor. "Any chaos in Lebanon will directly affect Syria," al-Sharaa warned, adding that he supports the monopoly of the Lebanese government and its army over weapons and decision-making on matters of war and peace.