Syrian foreign minister says Syria open to meeting Hezbollah, according to media reports

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Syria’s foreign minister expressed openness to meeting with Hezbollah if interests warrant during a Beirut visit, meeting Lebanese leaders allied with Hezbollah amidst regional tensions.

BEIRUT, July 2 (Reuters) - Syria's foreign minister said during a visit to Beirut on Thursday that Syria was open to meeting the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah "if interests require it", Lebanon's state news agency reported. Asaad al-Shibani met Lebanese government leaders including President Joseph Aoun and parliament speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally. It was his first visit there since U.S. President Donald Trump raised the possibility of Syrian forces combating Hezbollah in Lebanon.