US President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested handing responsibility for dealing with Hezbollah to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, reviving fears in Lebanon of renewed Syrian military involvement despite denials from Damascus.

Trump’s increasingly explicit statements have also appeared to contradict an earlier denial by US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, who dismissed reports that Washington had pressured Damascus to send forces into Lebanon as “false and inaccurate”.

Trump did not explain what he meant by “giving it over”, leaving it unclear whether he was referring to a Syrian military operation, political mediation, pressure on Hezbollah, tighter border controls or cooperation with the Lebanese state.