Damascus, July 27 (SANA)PresidentAhmad al-SharaasaidSyriahas embarked on a new chapter in its history and international relations, stressing that the country is regaining its regional and global role after decades of isolation under the deposed regime.

In an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday, President al-Sharaa affirmed that Syria is an important country with a strategic location and serves as a major regional trade hub, but the ousted regime’s policies over the past 60 years isolated it from both its regional and international surroundings.

“We have succeeded in delivering our message to countries around the world, and we have begun a new chapter for Syria that has been met with a very positive response from the United States and European countries,” President al-Sharaa said.

President al-Sharaa pointed out that lifting economic sanctions on Syria would not have its full impact unless the country’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism is also removed, noting that Syria and Western countries share significant economic, commercial and technical interests.

President al-Sharaa added thta Syria maintains historic ties with Russia and shares major interests with Moscow, adding that Russia had moved quickly to open a new chapter in bilateral relations.“Discussions on the future of Russian military bases in Syria are still ongoing,” President al-Sharaa affirmed.Turning to Lebanon, President al-Sharaa stressed thta Syria is working with the Lebanese government on a range of solutions that could help the country overcome its current challenges and benefit from Syria’s ongoing recovery, while expressing concern that instability in Lebanon could negatively affect Syria.

President al-Sharaa affirmed that that the continued existence of weapons outside the authority of the Lebanese state would have serious consequences for the region, affirming Syria’s support for the Lebanese state’s exclusive authority over arms, law enforcement and decisions on war and peace.

President al-Sharaa underlined that Hezbollah had supported the deposed regime throughout its 14-year war against the Syrian people, contributing to mass displacement and civilian deaths, and noted that the group still possesses weapons and maintains a presence along the Syrian-Lebanese border.

President al-Sharaa said Syria seeks to help the Lebanese state fulfill its commitments and emphasized the need for practical and realistic solutions, even if they require patience and gradual implementation.

“We are not considering military intervention,” President al-Sharaa said, adding that Syria possesses several options it can present to the Lebanese government, which will decide how to proceed.

President al-Sharaa added that the region continues to pay the price for policies that encouraged the creation of armed groups operating outside state authority.

President al-Sharaa stressed that the Middle East has historically been a region contested by outside powers, but that stability depends on strengthening internal unity and institutions.

“We should not always have to choose between Israeli policies and Iranian ambitions in the region,” President al-Sharaa said. “The region should have its own independent policies and identity.”

President al-Sharaa pointed out that Israel has ambitions in the region, but Syria is seeking to reach a security agreement with Israel while engaging multiple countries to encourage a more balanced Israeli policy toward Syria.

President al-Sharaa affirmed that Syria seeks to avoid military confrontation with Israel because such conflicts do not serve its interests, calling instead for safer approaches that allow the peoples of the region to pursue development and prosperity.

President al-Sharaa acknowledged that obstacles remain to reaching a security agreement, citing continued Israeli violations despite a decline compared with previous periods.

“The region remains unstable, but we are engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts to minimize harm and advance peaceful solutions,” President al-Sharaa said.

President al-Sharaa reaffirmed Syria’s support for the establishment of a Palestinian state, saying Damascus remains committed to the Arab position and internationally binding agreements concerning the Palestinian issue.

President al-Sharaa also said Syria seeks to avoid becoming involved in the U.S.-Israeli-Iranian confrontation and hopes the conflict does not expand further.

Commenting on Iraq, President al-Sharaa described bilateral relations as positive and improving, saying both countries have significant shared interests and should build cooperation on sound foundations.

President al-Sharaa expressed concern over the presence of Iraqi armed factions near the border that do not operate fully under Iraqi state authority, while emphasizing that Syria’s policy is based on reconstruction, stability and development through positive relations with all countries.

“We are open to everyone and maintain equal distance from all parties. We also understand Iraq’s current realities,” President al-Sharaa said.

President al-Sharaa described Syria’s relations with the Gulf states as strategic, noting that investment projects have already begun and that Syria is committed to ensuring their success.

President al-Sharaa said effective governance is the key to achieving sustainable economic returns, adding that Syria is currently focused on addressing institutional gaps while prioritizing reforms and balancing national needs rather than attempting to solve every problem simultaneously.

President al-Sharaa added that Syria does not seek to import foreign political or economic models wholesale, but instead draws on international experience in ways that suit Syrian realities.

President al-Sharaa also announced that a national body has been established to address the issue of missing persons. While describing its work as progressing well, he said the scale of the issue remains shocking, stressing that the state has both the responsibility and authority to uphold justice, enforce the law and preserve civil peace.

On the agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), he acknowledged that implementation has been slower than expected but said Syria remains committed to making it succeed.

“The deposed regime marginalized eastern Syria despite its abundant human, oil and agricultural resources,” President al-Sharaa said, noting that the Damascus–Deir Ezzor highway currently has only one carriageway and that work is underway to build a new road.

President al-Sharaa added that investigations into the recent traffic accident on the Damascus–Deir Ezzor road are still ongoing, with current indications suggesting it was accidental.