Syrian interim president pledges to keep country out of regional conflicts
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, said on Friday that the country is working to distance itself from regional conflicts, emphasizing a transition from years of instability toward internal and regional stability.
Speaking after Eid prayers in Damascus, al-Sharaa stated that Syria had long been a battleground for conflicts over the past 15 years and earlier, but now seeks balanced relations with neighboring countries.
“Regarding the regional situation, it is important to remember that Syria has always been an arena of conflict over the past 15 years and before that, but today it is in harmony with all neighboring countries regionally,” he said.
He added that the country has entered a new phase, saying, “Syria has moved to a new stage and transformed from being a field of conflict into an active force toward stability and security at both the internal and regional levels.”
Al-Sharaa described the current developments as significant, noting that the changes are rare in modern history. “What is happening now is a major event rarely seen in history and has not been witnessed since World War II,” he said, adding, “We carefully calculate our steps and work to keep Syria away from any conflict, while maintaining its path toward development and reconstruction.”
The remarks come amid ongoing regional developments. Earlier this week, Reuters reported, citing informed sources, that the United States had encouraged Syria to consider deploying forces to eastern Lebanon to assist in efforts to disarm Hezbollah.
Syria has undergone years of conflict since 2011, with multiple international and regional actors involved. In recent years, parts of the country, including northeast Syria, have been administered by local authorities with security maintained by local forces, contributing to relative stability compared to other regions.