Syria's interim prime minister Mohammad al-Bashir, second from left, escorts Walid Jumblatt, third from left, the Druze former leader of Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), during the latter's visit to Damascus on Dec. 22. AFP-Yonhap

Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa told Lebanese Druze leaders on Sunday that his country would not negatively interfere in Lebanon and would respect its neighbour's sovereignty.

Syria will not exert "negative interference in Lebanon at all — it respects Lebanon's sovereignty, the unity of its territories, the independence of its decisions and its security stability," Sharaa told visiting Druze chiefs Walid and Taymur Jumblatt. (AFP)