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Syria open to meeting Hezbollah 'if interests require it', says Syrian FM

Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani is in Lebanon and met President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, according to Al Jazeera. The former rebel fighters who now govern Syria fought against Hezbollah for years, as it was deployed there to support former President Bashar al-Assad. It would be the first time the two sides have met. Al-Shaibani said Syria is open to meeting Hezbollah representatives “if interests require ⁠it”, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported. His visit comes as Damascus insists it does not want to intervene militarily in Lebanon despite pressure from the United States to do so. President Trump has repeatedly said Syria could “take care of Hezbollah” while criticising Israel’s failure to destroy the Lebanese armed group. Lebanese president says Syrian counterpart pledges 'new chapter' in bilateral ties Lebanese President Joseph Aoun sai...

South Korea to lead joint maritime drill with US for 1st time

South Korea will lead multinational naval forces for the first time in a US-led maritime exercise starting in June, the navy said on Thursday. A South Korean admiral will command the combined maritime forces in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), scheduled in and around Hawaii from June 24 to July 31, according to Yonhap News Agency. This is the first time South Korea has taken this role in this exercise. It served as deputy commander in 2024. Read: South Korea returns remains of 12 Chinese volunteer troops killed in Korean War The biennial RIMPAC, held since 1971, aims to boost cooperation among participating countries to protect sea lines of communication and counter potential maritime security threats. South Korea has taken part in the exercise since 1990. This year's exercise will include a multinational force of over 25,000 personnel, as well as some 40 surface ships, five submarines and 140 aircraft. South Korea is expected to deploy its Aegis destroyer Jeongjo the Great, P-9 maritime patrol aircraft and the 3,000-ton Dosan Ahn Chang-ho submarine for the drill.

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