Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt made a significant visit to Damascus on Sunday for the first time in over 13 years. Heading a delegation from his party and the Democratic Gathering parliamentary bloc, Jumblatt was accompanied by Sheikh Aql of the Druze community, Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Muna, and a delegation of Druze clerics.

Jumblatt's visit, primarily aimed at congratulating the Syrian people and their new leadership, also focused on discussing critical matters, including unresolved border disputes between Lebanon and Syria and the plight of Lebanese citizens missing in Syrian jails. These topics, among others, were highlighted as pressing issues that require collaboration and resolution.

During the visit, Jumblatt met with Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. Following their discussions, he expressed his admiration for the resilience of the Syrian people in overcoming years of oppression and tyranny.

“We salute the Syrian people for their great victories and commend you for your struggle to rid yourselves of oppression and tyranny,” Jumblatt said, emphasizing the importance of restoring relations between Lebanon and Syria through proper diplomatic channels.

“We hope for the restoration of natural Lebanese-Syrian relations through proper diplomatic channels. We also hope that those who committed crimes against the Lebanese will be held accountable, and that fair trials will be conducted for those who committed crimes against the Syrian people.”

For his part, Ahmed Al-Sharaa assured the delegation of Syria’s commitment to maintaining balanced relations with all Lebanese factions while respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty and security.

“Syria maintains an equal distance from all parties and will respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and security stability,” Al-Sharaa said, calling for a new chapter in Syrian-Lebanese relations and urging both nations to move beyond past grievances.

“I hope that the Syrian past memory can be erased from the minds of the Lebanese,” he stated.

Al-Sharaa further addressed concerns about Lebanese Shiites, emphasizing a state-centric approach free from political classifications.

“Regarding Lebanon's Shiites, whether opponents or supporters, we will opt for a state-centric approach, far from political classifications. There is a new chapter with all components of the Lebanese people,” he added.

Reflecting on Syria’s historical role in Lebanese affairs, Al-Sharaa acknowledged past mistakes and criticized the actions of the previous Syrian regime and its alliances.

“Syria was a source of concern and annoyance, and its interference in Lebanese affairs was negative,” he said. “The previous regime, in collaboration with Iranian militias, worked to fragment the Syrian people.”