Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has accused Israel of obstructing efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East, saying its continued military presence in Syrian and Lebanese territories remains a major obstacle to any political agreement.
According to a report by the Jerusalem Post, al-Sharaa made the remarks during a recent conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Al-Sharaa reportedly said negotiations with Israel have stalled because Israeli leaders have rejected proposals to include a commitment to withdraw their forces as part of any future agreement.
“Why would we agree to a deal with Israel as long as it continues to stay?” al-Sharaa reportedly told Trump, arguing that Israel’s continued military presence is the greatest barrier to regional stability.
The Syrian president also addressed the issue of Hezbollah, saying the Lebanese armed group cannot be disarmed while Israeli troops remain in parts of Lebanon.
According to the report, al-Sharaa warned that attempts to forcibly disarm Hezbollah under the current circumstances could trigger widespread instability across the region, which he argued would ultimately benefit Israel.
The Jerusalem Post further reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed similar concerns during his own discussions with Trump.
Erdoğan reportedly described Israel as a key source of regional instability, arguing that its military presence undermines diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and limiting the influence of Iran-backed groups.
