Syrian opposition leader Ahmed al-Shallah, known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani during his time as a senior al-Qaeda official, promised on Sunday that a new Syria would be inclusive and respectful of minorities. repeated.
Sharaa promised A “new era far away from sectarianism” has ushered in after a meeting with Druze leader Walid Jumblatt on Sunday.
“We are proud of our culture, religion and Islam. Being part of an Islamic environment does not mean excluding other sects. On the contrary, it is important to protect them. is our duty,” Sharaa said.
leader of the rebel army pledged It said Syria would no longer exert a “negative influence” on Lebanon and would instead respect its neighbor's “sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence of decisions and security stability”.
“Lebanon needs a strong economy and political stability, supported by Syria,” Shaller said. saidcalled on Lebanese to “erase the old Syrian heritage from their memory.”
“This is a new chapter that includes all components of the Lebanese people, regardless of their previous positions,” he promised.
Syria has had a “negative impact” on Lebanon throughout most of the 50-year reign of the Assad dynasty, but the collapse of the Shara'a jihadist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on December 8th The dynasty has come to an end. A storm has come invaded Damascus and forced dictator Bashar al-Assad into exile.
Syria has provided a conduit for Iranian weapons to Lebanon's Hezbollah terrorists and the bloody chaos of Syria's civil war, which began in 2011. spilled It is creating a massive refugee crisis for Lebanese people across the border.
assad regime assassinated Several key Lebanese figures have worked together over the years to maintain Lebanon's negative influence, including Walid Jumblatt's father Kamal. ambushed Walid believes his father's death was ordered by Bashar's father, Hafez al-Assad.
HTS began as an offshoot of al-Qaeda, originally known as Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria. Shara'a has recently sought to repair its group's image and recast it as a “moderate” Islamist force. Committing to respecting minority rights, leaving Lebanon, and withdrawing from conflict with Israel are three of Shara'a's most important commitments. It was created to build diplomatic trust with Western countries.
Druze are a religious minority in both Lebanon and Syria. In 2015, at least 20 Druze massacred By HTS when it was known as Jabhat al-Nusra. The Druze were killed for resisting HTS attempts to occupy the homes of Druze people believed to be sympathetic to the Assad regime.
Walid Jumblatt, who led the first delegation of Lebanese politicians and religious leaders to meet with Syria's new ruler, said Shara and HTS had made a change of heart and that Syria-Lebanon relations would soon be “closed.” He seems willing to believe there is a chance for a return to normalcy.
“We salute the great victory of the Syrian people, and we salute the fight you waged to remove more than 50 years of oppression and tyranny,” Jumblatt said. said.
“Through our embassy, we hope that relations between Lebanon and Syria will be restored and that all those who committed crimes against the Lebanese people will be held accountable. I hope that all those involved will receive a fair trial.”
Jordan and Qatar too Sent delegation This weekend, I will be heading to Damascus for talks with Sharaa.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said: “We want a stable, secure and secure Syria that guarantees the rights of the Syrian people through a transition process that is in line with their aspirations.”
