Druze leaders affirm national affiliation, reject foreign interference

A number of Druze community leaders in Sweida province continued their meetings with government officials for the second day in a row, affirming their commitment to national affiliation and their rejection of any foreign interference in Syria's internal affairs, according to the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

In this context, Sweida Governor Dr. Mustafa al-Bakour met on Sunday with Sheikh Youssef Jarbou at the Ain al-Zaman Shrine. The governor, at the head of an official and service delegation, offered congratulations on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. During the meeting, the importance of communication and cooperation between state institutions and religious leaders to enhance stability in the province was emphasized.

Syrian Defense Minister Major General Engineer Murhaf Abu Qasra also met with a delegation from the Men of Dignity Movement headed by Sheikh Laith al-Balous. The meeting addressed local developments and emphasized joint coordination to serve the interests of the nation and its citizens.

For his part, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Syria, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, stressed during his meeting with Governor al-Bakour the importance of empowering youth and providing them with appropriate opportunities, saying, "What matters to us today is empowering youth and providing them with opportunities, especially those with high academic qualifications. This is the most beautiful vision for the future of the country."

Al-Hijri added that the governor represents the "link" between the people of the province and the central government in Damascus. He called for removing administrative obstacles and redoubling efforts to serve the public good, while emphasizing the importance of the community's oversight role in building a strong and balanced nation.

These meetings come amid growing official interest in the Sweida issue, which has witnessed societal mobilization in recent months and demands for improved services and expanded local participation in decision-making.