Overview
- Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sharaa told Al Jazeera on Sunday that Damascus is actively negotiating a security arrangement with Israel with several other countries involved.
- Al‑Sharaa said any deal would not require Syria to relinquish its legal claim to the Golan Heights and that Damascus wants to avoid military confrontation with Israel.
- The outreach follows renewed Israeli incursions and strikes in southern Syria and a visit by UN Secretary‑General Antonio Guterres, who publicly reaffirmed Syria’s claim to the Golan and condemned violations of the disengagement zone.
- Al‑Sharaa reiterated that Syria will not mount a military intervention in Lebanon and said Damascus is discussing political and stabilizing support for Lebanese authorities rather than direct action.
- Domestically, the presidency has set up a special committee for people missing from the 2011–2024 war and is pressing for sanctions relief and international engagement to enable reconstruction.