Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani took a firm stance against both Israel and Iran at a meeting of the Arab League in Cairo, emphasizing Damascus's rejection of Israeli aggression on Syrian territories. Simultaneously, he opposed turning Arab lands into a battleground for regional disputes.
Al-Shibani stated that Syria opposes "Iranian aggressions against regional countries," and stressed that Arab lands should not become an arena for others' conflicts.
He accused Israel of attempting to establish new zones of influence within Syria and hinder the country's recovery efforts, noting that Damascus is engaged in U.S.-mediated negotiations aimed at ending Israeli assaults.
Al-Shibani asserted that "control over arms and deterrent decisions are an absolute sovereign right of the state," highlighting Syria’s progress in implementing a trilateral roadmap with Jordan to promote peace in Sweida province.
He added that Damascus had thwarted, in his words, “division plans targeting the state,” and is actively working on rebuilding its institutions, ending arms chaos, and enforcing comprehensive security.
On the sanctions front, Al-Shibani claimed that Syria successfully had the Caesar Act lifted, along with American and European sanctions, and was removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism after 47 years, stating that Syria had become "an active partner in safeguarding regional security and peace."
He expressed hope that Damascus might be included in the programs of Arab organizations and funds by 2027, following what he described as Syria’s restoration of its status and opening a new chapter with regional countries.
Al-Shibani's stance comes amid ongoing tensions between Syria and Israel, marked by unresolved security issues. Last month, informed sources reported a meeting between Al-Shibani and Israeli Mossad director Roman Gofman in Jordan, following attacks on the Syrian Abu Zuhour airbase.
Washington has spent more than a year attempting to broker a security agreement between Damascus and Israel, but progress remains elusive as Israeli incursions in southern Syria persist, including setting up checkpoints, conducting arrests, and targeting government sites.