Syria says talks with Israel could yield results 'in coming days'

Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks at a press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, 7 May 2025.
Reuters

Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa said ongoing negotiations with Israel over a security pact could produce results “in the coming days.”

He told reporters in Damascus that the security pact is a “necessity” and must respect Syria’s airspace and territorial integrity, with oversight from the United Nations.

The talks aim to end Israeli airstrikes and secure the withdrawal of troops from southern Syria. Sharaa denied claims that the U.S. was pressuring Syria, saying Washington is instead acting as a mediator ahead of his upcoming trip to the UN General Assembly in New York next week.

Sharaa said Damascus is seeking a deal similar to the 1974 disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria, which created a demilitarised zone between the two countries. While Syria wants Israeli troops to withdraw, Israel seeks to retain control of strategic sites captured after 8 December, including Mount Hermon, and Israeli ministers have publicly confirmed their intention to hold these positions.

He added that if the security pact is successful, it could open the way for further agreements, though he did not provide details. He clarified that a full peace agreement or a wider normalisation deal, similar to the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords with several Muslim-majority countries, is not currently under discussion.

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