BEIRUT – Web Desk: Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has signaled a major shift in the Iran-backed group’s stance toward Syria, stating he has no objection to meeting the country’s current leadership and that an official meeting could take place at an appropriate time.
In a televised address, Qassem said Hezbollah seeks positive, brotherly, and cooperative relations with Syria, adding that there would be no obstacle to a public meeting if both sides deem it appropriate. It is the first time a Hezbollah leader has openly supported the possibility of direct contacts with Syria’s new leadership.
Hezbollah had long been a key supporter of Bashar al-Assad’s government during Syria’s civil war, with Damascus serving as a vital corridor for Iranian arms and supplies to Lebanon. However, the political landscape shifted significantly after Syria’s new government came to power in December 2024, leaving ties between the two in uncertainty.
Political analysts say Qassem’s statement may signal Hezbollah’s attempt to normalize relations with Syria’s new leadership to adapt to the changing regional political landscape. Experts say any formal meeting between the two sides could have implications not only for Lebanon and Syria but for the broader Middle East.
