Hezbollah and its ally, the Marada Movement, affirmed on Tuesday the need for direct and official dialogue with the Syrian government.
The call came following a six-hour meeting held between Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah and Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh.
Their talks came days after Nasrallah met with the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil.
Franjieh is a Hezbollah ally and one of the principle contenders along with Bassil in the 2022 presidential elections.
A statement issued by Hezbollah’s media office said Tuesday’s meeting included in-depth discussions of regional developments, mainly in Iraq and Syria.
"The two sides reaffirm the need for direct and official dialogue with the Syrian government … to take advantage of the great opportunity offered by the reopening of Albukamal crossing to enhance Lebanese exports through Syria to Iraq, and joint work with the Syrian government on the return of displaced Syrians to their country, to limit economic and social burdens on Lebanon," the statement said.
The meeting reviewed Lebanon’s economic situation and stressed the need to increase revenues and reduce expenditures, taking into account the legitimate demands of low-income people and the rejection of increased taxes.
Nasrallah and Franjieh also underlined the need for concerted efforts, especially between the three heads of state and political parties to maintain monetary stability as one of the pillars of security and political stability in the country.
