U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored Washington’s backing for a stable and peaceful Syria that safeguards the rights of all its citizens during high-level meetings at the Munich Security Conference.

According to a statement released Saturday by U.S. Deputy Spokesman Tommy Pigott, Rubio met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani on the sidelines of the international gathering.

During the discussions, Rubio emphasized the United States’ support for a Syria that lives in peace with its neighbors and guarantees the rights, dignity, and safety of all Syrians. He also stressed the importance of advancing stability through political dialogue and sustained security cooperation.

Pigott said Rubio welcomed the Syrian government’s commitment to full cooperation with Washington and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. The coalition, formed to combat the remnants of ISIS, continues to coordinate military and stabilization efforts across the region.

Rubio highlighted the need to fully implement existing ceasefire arrangements and underscored the importance of integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syrian state institutions in a manner that protects the rights and safety of all citizens.

The deputy spokesman noted that Mazloum Abdi, commander of the SDF, was present during the meeting between al-Shaibani and Rubio — a detail reflecting ongoing discussions over the role of Kurdish-led forces in Syria’s political and security future.

On Friday, the Syrian delegation, headed by al-Shaibani, also held broader talks with Rubio addressing bilateral cooperation and regional developments. Both sides reaffirmed Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity as guiding principles for future engagement.

The meetings in Munich come amid renewed diplomatic efforts to stabilize Syria after years of conflict, with international actors seeking pathways to strengthen ceasefire arrangements, counterterrorism cooperation, and political integration efforts.

Officials described the discussions as constructive, signaling cautious optimism about continued coordination between Washington and Damascus in pursuit of long-term regional stability. (ILKHA)