Lead

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has said that Damascus is actively working to reach a security agreement with Israel, in comments made during an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera. The interview, broadcast on the network's Al Muqabala programme, was also reported by the Jerusalem Post and The Hindu.

Al-Sharaa said he hopes the deal could serve as a gateway to a comprehensive peace between the two countries, while insisting that such an agreement would not compromise Syria's right to the Golan Heights, an area Israel captured in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed in 1981.

Coverage comparison

Al Jazeera, which conducted the interview, reported that al-Sharaa said Damascus is working towards a security agreement with Israel with the participation of several countries. The network also quoted him as saying that Syria is avoiding any clashes with Israel and that a security arrangement could pave the way for a broader resolution to the crisis.

The Jerusalem Post, citing the same interview, highlighted al-Sharaa's statement that he is working to reach a security arrangement with Israel that could eventually lead to a comprehensive peace agreement. The newspaper noted that al-Sharaa conditioned such a peace on not compromising Syria's right to the occupied Golan, and observed that no Israeli government in the foreseeable future is likely to consider ceding the territory, making a peace agreement conditioned on Israeli withdrawal seem out of reach.

The Hindu reported that al-Sharaa said a deal could pave the way for comprehensive peace between the two countries without compromising Syria's right to the Golan Heights. The newspaper also noted that the comments coincided with UN Secretary-General António Guterres's visit to Syria, the first by a UN chief since 2009.

All three outlets reported that al-Sharaa ruled out military intervention in Lebanon, instead focusing on supporting the country to overcome its current crisis.

Key claims

  • Syria is seeking a security agreement with Israel, as stated by President Ahmed al-Sharaa in an interview with Al Jazeera, and reported by Al Jazeera, the Jerusalem Post, and The Hindu.
  • Al-Sharaa said the agreement would not compromise Syria's right to the Golan Heights, a claim carried by all three outlets.
  • Syria has no intention of intervening militarily in Lebanon, according to al-Sharaa, as reported by Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post.
  • Syria is discussing ways to help overcome the crisis in Lebanon with the Lebanese government, a claim reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • UN Secretary-General António Guterres recognized the Golan Heights as part of Syria during his visit, as reported by the Jerusalem Post and The Hindu.
  • Lebanese President Joseph Aoun praised a recent framework agreement signed with Israel, according to the Jerusalem Post, which noted that Aoun spoke in terms of long-term security arrangements rather than an immediate, full-fledged peace agreement.

Perspectives

Syrian government

President al-Sharaa says Damascus is working towards a security agreement with Israel, hoping it could lead to comprehensive peace, while maintaining Syria's claim to the Golan Heights. He also emphasizes Syria's support for the Lebanese state's authority over weapons and decisions on war and peace.

Lebanese government

President Joseph Aoun, as reported by the Jerusalem Post, praised a recent framework agreement with Israel, describing its ultimate objective as ending the state of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel forever, and spoke in terms of long-term security arrangements rather than immediate peace.

United Nations

Secretary-General António Guterres, during his visit to Syria, called for respect for Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity, and stated that violations by Israel of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement are unacceptable and must stop.