Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said during a visit to the UK that his government attempted to normalize relations with Israel “without success,” reported Israeli media on Tuesday.
The president made the remarks during an event hosted by the Chatham House Royal Institute of International Affairs in London.
“We tried direct and indirect dialogue and negotiations,” he said. “We reached good points, but Israel changed its mind at the last minute.”
Al-Sharaa also said that Iranian intervention in Syria had "allowed the last regime to uproot the Syrian people,” adding that Syria has “no problem with Iran in Tehran. We have a problem with Iran in Damascus.”
The president explained that Syria has “maintained restraint” in its relations with Iran, adding that the conflict has affected all countries in the region.
Negotiations over war
“Iran has a problem because it is trying to develop ballistic missiles and nuclear bombs and influence other countries,” he said, adding that Syria prefers negotiations “over wars that will lead to additional risks.”
"As long as Syria is not attacked by any party, it will remain outside any conflict,” he emphasized.
Regarding Hezbollah, al-Sharaa reasserted Syria’s commitment to defending its borders and preventing the smuggling of weapons, adding that Syria has paid a heavy price due to Hezbollah’s presence in Lebanon.