Damascus: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani announced that Damascus expects negotiations with Israel to resume soon to reach a security agreement aimed at halting attacks and ensuring the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian territory. He called on Tel Aviv to seize what he described as a “historic opportunity,” emphasizing that the door remains open for diplomatic solutions.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Shaibani reiterated that diplomacy remains open despite the interruption of communications following the recent Israeli bombing of the Abu al-Duhur airbase. He noted that the United States is exerting continuous pressure to push Israel back to the negotiating table.

Al-Shaibani said, “There must be communication… especially with an entity that constantly threatens Syria’s security. However, if this communication does not yield results, we do not want it at all.”

Al-Shaibani revealed that the two sides had previously agreed on most of the points in writing, which include Israel’s commitment not to attack or interfere in Syrian internal affairs, Israel’s withdrawal from the areas it seized after the fall of the previous regime, and the establishment of specific security zones, including a buffer zone under UN supervision and other areas with a phased Syrian military presence.

The Syrian minister stressed Syria’s right to have its sovereignty and security concerns respected, while also taking into account Israeli concerns. He rejected the use of any mechanism to “legitimize the occupation,” denying “any intention to use the Abu al-Duhur base as a staging point for Turkish forces.” He also expressed “Damascus’s commitment to military cooperation and training with Turkey, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia to support the Syrian army in the reconstruction phase.”