DAMASCUS: Syria is seeking to reach a security agreement with Israel, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa said in an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday. He said a deal could pave the way for comprehensive peace between the two countries without compromising Syria’s right to the Golan Heights, an area that Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed in 1981. Sharaa said Syria was trying to involve a large group of countries to pressure Israel to adopt a more balanced policy toward Syria. “We are avoiding getting into confrontations,” he added.

Additionally, Syria has no intention of intervening militarily in Lebanon, although Syria is discussing ways to help overcome the crisis there with the Lebanese government.

Syrian President al-Sharaa tells Al Jazeera Damascus seeks a security deal with Israel, and warns of chaos in Lebanon.