Jerusalem Post/Middle EastAccording to the report, Sharaa had told Trump that "Israel refused to include the word 'withdrawal' in any agreement and halted negotiations when we raised the issue."Follow us on GoogleUS President Donald Trump shakes hands with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during a bilateral meeting alongside the NATO leaders summit at the Bestepe Presidential Compound in Ankara, Turkey, July 8, 2026.(photo credit: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)ByJERUSALEM POST STAFFJULY 15, 2026 11:16Updated: JULY 15, 2026 11:36Syria's President Ahmad al-Sharaa claimed that Israel was preventing stability in Syria during a discussion with US President Donald Trump, Lebanese outlet Al-Akhbar reported on Wednesday.According to the report, Sharaa had told Trump that "Israel refused to include the word 'withdrawal' in any agreement and halted negotiations when we raised the issue. As long as it refuses to withdraw, why should we sign an agreement with it?"Sharaa also allegedly told Trump that Hezbollah could not be disarmed until Israel withdrew from Lebanon, and that forceful disarmament would result in the region being plunged into chaos - which Sharaa claimed is what Israel wants.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomes US President Donald Trump at Ankara Airport, who is paying an official visit to Turkey ahead of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7, 2026. (credit: DOGUKAN KESKINKILIC/POOL VIA REUTERS)Erdogan tells Trump Israel destabilizes regionAl-Akhbar also reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had met with Trump and echoed Sharaa's sentiments on the importance of an Israeli withdrawal from both Lebanon and Syria.According to unnamed sources, Erdogan told Trump that Israel "constitutes the primary cause of instability and undermines any political process aimed at containing Iran’s allies."Erdogan also emphasized that the withdrawal process must not be tied to the upcoming Israeli elections, and should be completed before the end of the year.Follow us on Google