ISLAMABAD: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani has ruled out immediate Pakistani mediation between Syria and Iran, but said Damascus would consider such a role if necessary conditions were created.
Speaking exclusively to Geo News/The News at the end of his two-day visit to Pakistan, Al-Shaibani said Iran would first have to acknowledge what it had done to the Syrian state and people. He praised Pakistan’s historic role in facilitating the US-Iran dialogue but said no Pakistani offer for Syria-Iran mediation was made during his current visit.
Al-Shaibani termed his visit successful, saying Pakistan and Syria had agreed to revive the joint ministerial commission, work on resuming direct flights, establish a business council and hold an investment forum. He said both sides were “on the same page” and wanted to take bilateral relations to an “advanced position”. Syria will also upgrade its diplomatic representation in Pakistan to ambassadorial level.
On Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions, Al-Shaibani said the two countries were best placed to resolve their disputes because of their shared history, geography, religion and tribal links. “We call on Afghanistan not to allow any threats or any terrorist attacks from Afghan territory against its neighbours, especially Pakistan,” he said. He urged Islamabad and Kabul to sit together and resolve their differences through dialogue.
When asked about the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, Al-Shaibani said Syria was studying the arrangement. “We don’t have a decision right now, whether to join or not to join this alliance,” he said, adding that the issue could be considered in the future. Al-Shaibani described Türkiye as a key partner in Syria’s reconstruction, citing their historic ties and more than 1,000 kilometres of shared border.
On Israel, he said it was “too early” to discuss any strategic agreement, with Syria’s immediate priority being an end to Israeli attacks. “Syria is a sovereign country,” he said, adding that Israel should not dictate Damascus’ alliances or partnerships.
Al-Shaibani said Syria’s new foreign policy was focused on reconstruction, economic cooperation and stronger relations with regional and international partners.
