BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian and Israeli officials are scheduled to resume U.S.-mediated talks in Paris on Tuesday aimed at easing tensions and reaching a security agreement, according to officials from both countries.
A Syrian official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak publicly, said Syria’s delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Hussein Salameh, head of the General Intelligence Directorate.
The official said Syria intends to revive a 1974 disengagement agreement that created a United Nations-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria. That zone has been under Israeli control since late 2023. Syria will seek Israeli withdrawal from the area as part of a mutual security arrangement that emphasizes Syrian sovereignty and noninterference in internal affairs, the official said.
A French diplomat, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the talks would take place Tuesday in Paris with U.S. mediation. The diplomat added that France’s foreign minister was scheduled to meet with Syria’s foreign minister on Monday.
In December 2024, forces led by then-opposition figure and current interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa removed President Bashar Assad in a rapid military campaign. Al-Sharaa has expressed a desire to avoid conflict with Israel.
Following the shift in Syria’s leadership, Israel expressed concern over the new Islamic-led government and moved to occupy the buffer zone. Israel has since carried out numerous airstrikes on Syrian military sites and conducted operations in villages beyond the buffer zone, resulting in occasional clashes with local residents.
Israeli officials have stated their presence in southern Syria is intended to target remaining Assad loyalists and armed groups posing threats to Israeli security. However, no timeline has been offered for a withdrawal.
Efforts to reach a security agreement between Syria and Israel had stalled in 2023. The upcoming meeting marks the first known attempt to revive those talks under U.S. mediation since then.
Israeli officials did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the U.S. envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, declined to comment.
John Leicester reported from Paris. Natalie Melzer contributed from Tel Aviv, Israel.
