Prominent Lebanese figure meets Syrian insurgent who led Assad’s ouster, seeking better relations

Associated Press

BEIRUT (AP) — A prominent Lebanese politician has met with the insurgent who led the overthrow of Syrian leader Bashar Assad, and both expressed hope Sunday for a new era in relations between their countries. Druze leader Walid Jumblatt was a longtime critic of Syria’s involvement in Lebanon and blamed Assad’s father for the assassination of his own father. He is the most prominent Lebanese politician to visit Syria since the Assad family’s 54-year rule ended. Ahmad al-Sharaa led the Sunni Islamist rebels who swept into Damascus and is now meeting diplomats and others as Assad’s fall reshapes alliances.