Walid Jumblatt Meets Syrian Rebel Leader in Damascus

Walid Jumblatt, the leader of Lebanon's Druze community, has met with Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of the Syrian group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), marking Jumblatt's first visit to Syria since the Assad regime's downfall. During the meeting, Jumblatt expressed hopes for improved Lebanese-Syrian relations and accountability for past crimes committed by the Assad regime. Al-Sharaa assured Jumblatt that Syria will respect Lebanon's sovereignty and will not interfere negatively in its affairs. Jumblatt praised the Syrian people's efforts to overthrow oppression and emphasized the need for a diplomatic resolution between the two nations. He also indicated that he would present a memorandum addressing Lebanese-Syrian relations. Both leaders acknowledged the challenges posed by Israeli expansionism in the region.