Syria has rejected U.S. proposals to intervene militarily or logistically against Hezbollah in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, despite incentive packages involving economic support and political arrangements, a Lebanese diplomatic source told Syria TV on Monday.
The source said Lebanese officials have been fully briefed on recent U.S. diplomatic efforts aimed at persuading Damascus to take operational steps against the group. Syrian officials, however, have reportedly maintained a firm position against any form of military involvement inside Lebanese territory.
According to the source, recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump about potential Syrian assistance “did not come out of nowhere,” but followed a series of meetings and direct communications between U.S. envoys and senior Syrian officials.
Proposals and Political Pressure
The discussions reportedly focused on encouraging Damascus to undertake security or military actions against Hezbollah in exchange for economic incentives and political concessions. These included possible new security arrangements in southern Syria and a framework for managing future relations with Israel.
The diplomatic source said the U.S. push coincided with lobbying in Washington by joint Israeli-Lebanese interest groups urging the administration to leverage Syria’s position against Hezbollah. This came alongside a media campaign accusing Damascus of facilitating arms smuggling to the group — allegations the source described as “political pressure” intended to force a shift in Syria’s stance.
Coordination With Beirut
The source emphasized that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s recent rejection of any military involvement in Lebanon followed direct coordination between Damascus and Beirut. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam held talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, during which al-Shaibani reaffirmed Syria’s respect for Lebanese sovereignty and its refusal to be drawn into internal Lebanese divisions.
This position has also been conveyed in joint military and security committee meetings between the Lebanese and Syrian armed forces. Both sides agreed to maintain coordination on border control, anti-smuggling operations, and surveillance, while leaving all Hezbollah-related matters inside Lebanon to Lebanese state authorities.
Regional Backing for Damascus
Syria’s policy of non-intervention in Lebanese domestic affairs reportedly enjoys support from regional actors, including Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. These countries are prioritizing stability in both Syria and Lebanon to prevent the current conflict from expanding further into Lebanese territory.
This regional consensus was relayed to Lebanese officials during recent high-level meetings, including discussions with Saudi envoy Prince Yazid bin Farhan during his visit to Beirut, where the focus was on reinforcing stability and enhancing coordination.
Official Denials and International Context
Speaking to local leaders from the Damascus countryside, President al-Sharaa publicly denied any intention of sending troops or intervening militarily in Lebanon, dismissing circulating reports as “rumors.”
The development follows a separate report by Agence France-Presse (AFP) last Thursday, citing a diplomatic source who said the United States has been applying pressure on Damascus since the outbreak of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict on March 2, urging Syria to act against the group.
In a televised interview, Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour el-Din al-Baba reiterated Damascus’s support for Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in maintaining state security and sovereignty. He added that Syria and Lebanon are best positioned to interpret external statements — including those by President Trump — and to coordinate responses within a unified Arab framework.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
