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MIDDLE EAST

Jolani signals non-intervention stance in Lebanon, ready to back Joseph Aoun

Jolani stated that the decision lies with the Lebanese people and emphasized that Syria would not interfere in Lebanon’s internal affairs, Annahar reported.


Jolani signals non-intervention stance in Lebanon, ready to back Joseph Aoun

The leader of Syria's Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, addresses a crowd in Damascus' landmark Umayyad Mosque on Dec. 8, 2024. (Credit: Abdulaziz Ketaz/AFP)

BEIRUT — Ahmad al-Sharaa, known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of Syria’s Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) who is at the head of the coalition that overturned the Assad regime in Syria, said he was ready to support Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun as Lebanon’s next president, Lebanese daily Annahar newspaper reported Sunday.

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In a meeting with journalists, from which excerpts were published by Annahar, Jolani stated that the decision lies with the Lebanese people and emphasized that Syria would not interfere in Lebanon’s internal affairs.

Jolani said, “We have no plans to interfere in Lebanon. If the Lebanese agree on Joseph Aoun as president, we will support him.” He added, “We have no issues with Lebanon. On the contrary, we do not want to intervene or pressure this country as happened in the past.”

Syrian opposition rebels toppled the Assad regime last Sunday after a rapid advance that had reignited a years-long war that had begun in 2011 when Assad repressed anti-government protests.

Since Assad's regime fell, Lebanese authorities have expressed their will to establish good relations with the new authorities in Damascus, but no official contact has been established yet. The only Lebanese political figure to have contacted Jolani is the former head of the Socialist Progressist Party Walid Joumblatt.

BEIRUT — Ahmad al-Sharaa, known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of Syria’s Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) who is at the head of the coalition that overturned the Assad regime in Syria, said he was ready to support Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun as Lebanon’s next president, Lebanese daily Annahar newspaper reported Sunday. Follow our live coverage: Mazen...