New Syria leader warns of regional tumult without Israel deal
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa rejected any talk of partitioning his country.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
NEW YORK - Syria’s new leader on Sept 23 warned that the Middle East would face a new round of tumult unless Israel reaches a security agreement with his transitional government that preserves sovereignty.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former jihadist whose forces swept out long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, is making a landmark visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
Mr Sharaa again voiced hope for a security agreement with Israel, which has unleashed massive attacks as it takes advantage of a moment of weakness in its historic adversary.
“We are not the ones creating problems for Israel. We are scared of Israel, not the other way around,” he told an event of the Middle East Institute. “There are multiple risks with Israel stalling on the negotiations and insisting on violating our airspace and incursions into our territory.”
He rejected any talk of partitioning his country, as Israel makes incursions and says it is championing the interests of the Druze minority.
“Jordan is under pressure, and any talk of partitioning Syria will hurt Iraq, will hurt Turkey,” he said.
“That will take us all back to square one,” he said, noting that Syria had only just emerged from 15 years of war.
In an earlier appearance, Mr Sharaa played down prospects for a more historic agreement in which Syria would recognise Israel. AFP
