The Syrian foreign minister, speaking about talks with Lebanon to expand bilateral relations, said that “if it is in the interest,” Damascus is also willing to meet with Hezbollah. On Thursday, during a trip to Beirut after meeting with Nabih Berri, the head of Lebanon’s parliament, Asaad al-Shibani said that the talks focused on ways to develop relations between Lebanon and Syria, adding that the Hezbollah file was not raised in that meeting. He nevertheless said: “If it is in the interest that we meet with Hezbollah, we are ready for that.” Hezbollah has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, and Israel, the United States, and the Lebanese government are seeking the disarmament of the group. Al-Shibani also met with Joseph Aoun and Nawaaf Salam, the president and prime minister of Lebanon. Aoun said: “Lebanon is committed to establishing brotherly relations with Syria, based on cooperation, coordination, and non-interference in the internal affairs of both countries, and just as Syria wants stability in Lebanon, Lebanon also wants stability in Syria.”