The importance of Syrian Foreign Minister Asad al-Shaibani’s official visit to Lebanon is quite significant. The visit was not limited to his scheduled official meetings.
This is al-Shaibani’s second visit to Beirut since the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad. But there is one big difference between the first and the second visit. This time, he met with the speaker of the Lebanese parliament, Nabih Berri. Nabih Berri is the leader of the Amal Movement and Hezbollah’s closest political ally.
The meeting comes against a backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s recent controversial remarks, suggesting that Syria could be given the responsibility to “punish” Hezbollah. Pressure is mounting on Damascus to play a role in confronting the Lebanese armed group.
The visit provided the Lebanese government with additional assurance that the new Syrian administration has no intention of intervening militarily in Lebanon under US pressure.
Our vision is to restore support for the Lebanese state, strengthen its institutions, and find a solution that everyone accepts. We are looking for an economic path between Lebanon and Syria, not a military path.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syrian President
On the other hand, through this visit, Damascus has had the opportunity to highlight the level of pressure on itself. At the same time, they have also sent a message. By reducing tensions on the Syria-Lebanese border, Hezbollah can prevent the situation from getting worse, if it wants to.
A senior Lebanese official who met with Shaibani during the visit told Middle East Eye that the visit was coordinated with Lebanese authorities to send a clear message about Syria’s intentions.
“This visit was very much needed to reassure Lebanon. It was also necessary to reduce the fear of any military intervention that had arisen under US pressure,” the official said.
The senior official added, “The message of reassurance given by (Syrian) President Ahmed al-Sharaa in a television interview was a positive sign. But the foreign minister’s visit sent an even stronger message. That is, the new Syrian administration is not a threat to the Lebanese state or its sovereignty.”
Berry came into the discussion
During Shaibani’s previous visit, the Lebanese speaker was not on the official agenda for discussions. However, his meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri during this visit was a completely exceptional event.
Berri has maintained close ties with Damascus since the time of Bashar al-Assad’s government. He opposed Hezbollah’s military intervention in the Syrian war. However, he is the leader of Lebanon’s main Shiite political movement and Hezbollah’s most important domestic ally. This position makes him a natural mediator between Hezbollah and the new Syrian leadership.
Berri’s role makes the Syrian Foreign Minister’s visit to Lebanon significant. Shaibani chose Speaker Berri’s office to make his most explicit public statement on Hezbollah.
Asked about Syria’s position on Hezbollah, the Syrian Foreign Minister responded, “If it is necessary to meet with Hezbollah in the national interest, we are willing to do so.”
The statement from the foreign minister came after Syrian President al-Sharaa made similar comments earlier. He said that Syria was ready to engage with all Lebanese parties, including Hezbollah, if dialogue served the interests of both countries.
Alongside this public message from Damascus, Hezbollah’s own tone towards the new Syrian authorities is also gradually softening.