Behind the Scenes: Trump and Syrian President Discuss Lebanon — Will Syria Act Against Hezbollah?

According to 'Arabi 21', Israeli newspaper 'Yedioth Ahronoth' reported that the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara marks a turning point in relations between Washington and Damascus.
Despite positive atmospheres during the meeting, the two leaders did not reach an agreement on the Lebanese issue. Trump continued to pressure Damascus to play a more active security role in Lebanon and assist in confronting Hezbollah, but Al-Sharaa refused any military engagement, emphasizing that Syria's priorities lie in protecting its borders with Lebanon.

The Syrian President was quoted by 'Yedioth Ahronoth' saying, "It is important for me, in cooperation with the Lebanese government, to work on achieving security along the Syrian-Lebanese border rather than entering into difficult military conflicts that do not concern Syria."

Lebanon welcomed this Syrian stance.

A source accompanying the official Syrian delegation stated that "the Syrian President is held in high regard by Trump, even as he maintains his stance of refusing intervention in the Lebanese file."

The source added, "Despite the Syrian President's insistence, he feels greatly appreciated by President Trump. Al-Sharaa understands the American difficulties in Lebanon, but Syria, dealing with its own challenges, cannot offer assistance at this stage."

The newspaper noted that this meeting is the fourth and longest between the American and Syrian presidents in less than two years, following previous meetings in Riyadh, the White House, and during the UN General Assembly sessions in New York.

The Syrian delegation left the meeting with positive impressions, announcing that the Syrian President was "very pleased with his meeting with Trump."

The Syrian official added that "the presidential palace in Damascus is closely monitoring developments in Lebanon and Israel, and an understanding has been reached regarding the decisions made in Beirut and Tel Aviv."