Syria and Hezbollah Reportedly Held Secret Talks in Turkey

A report published on October 1 says Syrian government officials and Hezbollah representatives held previously undisclosed talks in Turkey in September, according to six sources briefed on the meeting. Turkish security and intelligence agencies invited the participants to ease tensions. A Syrian official said Damascus sought help stopping cross-border smuggling and dismantling remaining sleeper cells, particularly in southern Syria, and assured Hezbollah it would not intervene militarily in Lebanon to disarm it. That official said Hezbollah pledged not to interfere in Syria but gave no direct answer to the requests. A Syrian official and a Lebanese security source said no final agreement was reached.