According to Fayyad, the Turkish diplomat also said that Syria would not bow to US and Israeli pressure to confront Hezbollah.

The remarks, if accurate, suggest that Turkey is seeking to maintain ties with Hezbollah while positioning itself as a major regional powerbroker in Lebanon and Syria.

Fayyad’s statement is also likely to raise concerns among those demanding that the Lebanese state disarm Hezbollah and restore full sovereignty over the country.