Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa vowed Sunday to keep his country united after years of civil war, urging reconciliation without further bloodshed and accusing Israel of stirring conflict in the south.
His remarks, released by state TV on Sunday, came as hundreds demonstrated in south Syria's Suwayda province, denouncing sectarian violence last month and calling for the right to self-determination for the Druze-majority province.
"We still have another battle ahead of us to unify Syria, and it should not be with blood and military force ... it should be through some kind of understanding because Syria is tired of war," al-Sharaa said during a dialogue session involving notables from the northwest province of Idlib and other senior officials.
"I do not see Syria as at risk of division. Some people desire a process of dividing Syria and trying to establish cantons ... this matter is impossible," he said, according to a recording of the meeting, distributed overnight by state media.
"Some parties seek to gain power through regional power, Israel or others. This is also extremely difficult and cannot be implemented," he said.
