Bahrain's King Discusses with Sharaa Ways to Support Syria's Security, Stability
At the Sakhir Palace, the king and Sharaa tackled relations and opportunities to strengthen cooperation across various domains, according to Bahrain's news agency, BNA.
Sharaa arrived in Manama on Saturday, heading an official delegation. He was received at the airport by Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs.
Later, King Hamad held talks with Sharaa in the presence of Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The two men addressed regional developments, BNA said in a statement.
They also discussed the latest developments in Syria and ways to support the country's security and stability.
Sharaa's visit to Bahrain is part of Syria's diplomatic efforts to secure Arab support for the lifting of sanctions and the funding of the country's reconstruction, Syrian officials say.
'The visit to Bahrain is part of the new Syrian government's efforts to build bridges through communications with the Arabian Peninsula in order to return Syria to the Arab embrace,' Noureddine Ismail, editor-in chief of Al Thawra, the official Syrian newspaper, told Asharq Al-Awsat.
He said Al Sharaa's trips abroad reinforce statements about Syria's need to rely on Arab countries to regain the country's pivotal role in the region.
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The US may actually be ready to condemn Israel for failing to respect its end of the deal. Asked if Washington had broached the subject of holding negotiations to establish peace between Lebanon and Israel, Salam responded: 'Our position is known and clear. The Arab Peace Initiative was adopted during the Beirut summit in 2002. We have no intention of engaging in normalization negotiations or anything of the sort beyond the initiative. This is our plain and simple answer whenever the Americans or others bring up the issue.' 'There is a need, now more than ever, to implement the initiative,' he urged. Asked about what Lebanon will demand from Barrack during his visit, Salam said he 'must guarantee that Israel cease its hostile operations and start withdrawing from Lebanese territories, especially the five points, as stipulated in his proposals.' The PM added that Speaker Berri was involved in the discussions between him, Aoun and Barrack. 'He had reservations about some issues, but was part of the discussions at various points. Aoun, Berri and I introduced amendments to the proposals.' Relations with Iran 'Do you fear that relations may be severed with Iran?' asked Asharq Al-Awsat. 'Iran is a big country and we boast historic relations with it. I informed Larijani that these relations existed before the establishment of the Islamic Republic. (...) We are very keen on ties between Lebanon and Iran. Iran is among the most important neighbors to the Arab world. We want balanced relations similar to the ones with other neighbors,' Salam said. Asharq Al-Awsat added: 'Iran is the greatest loser with the change that had taken place in Syria. Perhaps it wants to compensate for this loss by maintaining its influence in Lebanon?' Salam said: 'We have an interest in having the best relations with Iran. The other Arab countries share this same interest. Were this not the case, Saudi Arabia would not have reached the Beijing agreement with Iran.' Pending issues with Syria Turning to relations with Syria, Salam was asked about his meeting with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus earlier this year. He replied: 'I told him that we have long suffered from Syria's interference in our internal affairs. We are pleased with the change that has happened in Syria. I am also aware that they have suffered from the meddling by some Lebanese parties in their country.' 'We have both suffered. We are now ready to open a new chapter in Lebanese-Syrian relations based on mutual respect and non-interference in the affairs of the other,' the PM stressed. The pending issues that exist between the two neighbors can only be resolved through joint efforts between them, he continued. 'Progress has already been made over cross-border smuggling, especially the smuggling of drugs and weapons. The drugs were being smuggled to the Gulf, which has tarnished Lebanon's image.' He said that 'major cooperation' was taking place over this issue and it has been sponsored by Saudi Arabia through a meeting between the defense ministers in Jeddah. Furthermore, Salam added that efforts were ongoing with Syria over securing their shared border. Other issues remain pending, such as Syrian detainees held in Lebanon. 'We are ready to discuss the issue with our Syrian brothers to reach a serious solution to this file. I informed them of this during my visit to Damascus. I reiterated this to Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani when we met in Baghdad on the sidelines of the Arab summit.' 'We are both eager to put this file behind us. There is also the issue of Syria refugees in Lebanon. This should be resolved between us and the Syrians and concerned international organizations,' he went on to say. Tens of thousands of Syrians have already returned home in recent months. 'We have declared that we support their safe and dignified return,' he remarked. Salam added that he requested from Sharaa any information Syrian authorities have over 'internal issues that greatly concern Lebanon,' such as the case of the bombing of two mosques in the northern city of Tripoli in 2013 and the 2020 Beirut Port blast. 'Sharaa was very understanding of the requests. I believe we have a new opportunity with the new rulers in Syria to not just put the old relations between us, but to build a balanced relationship with our Syrian brothers,' he told Asharq Al-Awsat. Asked about how he felt when he saw Sharaa seated at the presidential palace in Damascus instead of Bashar al-Assad, Salam replied: 'I used to be Lebanon's ambassador to the UN when Assad was in his post. Our position remains the same: We want for Syria what its own people want for it. We support what the Syrian people choose. We want to close the Assad chapter; Lebanon suffered a lot from it.' Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and PM Salam meet in Damascus on April 14. (AFP) Ties with Saudi Arabia 'What about relations with Saudi Arabia?' asked Asharq Al-Awsat. 'Lebanon and Saudi Arabia enjoy historic relations,' he said, citing its major role in the Taif Accords that helped end Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war. He also singled out Prince Saud al-Faisal and his role in the Accords. Ties between the two countries stretch before the agreement. 'The issue isn't just about bilateral relations. The Kingdom is now a major Arab Islamic international player,' stressed Salam. 'We are very keen on relations with the Kingdom and are seeking the greatest support from it in terms of pressuring Iran or supporting Lebanon in its reconstruction and attracting investments.' He hoped that Saudi Arabia would soon lift its ban on its citizens from traveling to Lebanon. 'We can't say that we have returned to the Arab world; the Arab world must also return to Lebanon. The lifting of the ban would be a very significant development.' The PM also acknowledged the concerns over the smuggling of drugs to Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom's ensuing decision to bar imports from Lebanon. Salam hoped that this issue would be resolved soon given that authorities have adopted tougher measures at various land and marine crossings. 'We do not want to smuggle captagon or other illicit material. This damages our image before it harms the Saudis and others. Lebanon's image has already been tarnished. Our country used to export books, ideas and engineers to the Arab world. This is the image that we want to restore,' Salam said. Turning to the Gulf countries, he stressed that he is proud of the strides they have made and the accomplishments they have achieved, 'but at the same time, we lament the opportunities we have wasted.' 'Lebanon can be a natural partner to their rise,' he went on to say. He also noted the vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, who wants to take the Arab world and Kingdom to 'not just the 21st Century but its second half through investments in AI and technology.' 'Lebanon, through its universities and human capabilities, is a natural partner to this renaissance project,' he declared. War on corruption Returning to Lebanon, Asharq Al-Awsat asked whether the 'war on corruption has started.' Salam said it is already underway. Two ministers are being persecuted, and one has been jailed on corruption charges. The other, unfortunately, managed to flee the country. He noted that former public employees and judges are being persecuted for corruption. 'I am aware of how much Lebanon has suffered in recent years from the looting of public funds and waste that has taken place in several state sectors. We have a project to rebuild the country, which demands a number of issues that are founded on reforms.' Asked if he regrets becoming prime minister, Salam said: 'I have been concerned with public affairs for dozens of years. I grew up in a family that is concerned in public affairs. I have written extensively about reforms in Lebanon. I saw an opportunity and seized it so that I can translate into reality the ambitious reform pledges of this (Aoun's) term.' 'I was encouraged by Aoun's swearing in speech. I am today seeking to implement whatever I can,' he revealed. Asked about online campaigns against him, the PM explained that they are being waged by thousands of bots. 'They aren't even real people. They accuse me of treason and of being a Zionist. Does anyone really believe these claims? Do I need to prove my loyalty to my nation or my stances against Israel? I forgive those making the accusations because they themselves know that they are not true.' 'However, I do not forgive those who are manipulating their supporters with such claims. This is very dangerous, not because of the personal injury to me – I don't care about that – but because it could lead to civil strife in the country,' he warned. 'Those intimidating us with civil war should first concern themselves with removing the weapons that are the source of this strife,' he demanded. 'I sought last week to defuse tensions, but then came another party to stoke civil tensions by accusing me of being a Zionist and rallying their supporters. Let them cease such behavior, which only pits the people against each other. I am confident that the majority of the Lebanese people agree with me,' he said.
