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The European Union could begin lifting sanctions on Syria if the war-torn country's new rulers take steps to form an inclusive government that protects minorities, the bloc's top diplomat said Friday.

"The EU could gradually ease sanctions provided there is tangible progress," foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wrote on X, a day after a meeting of Western powers in Rome.

Turkey has no intention of taking over any part of Syria following the ouster of president Bashar al-Assad, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Friday.

"Turkey has no eye on any part of Syrian territory," he said at a news conference in Istanbul as fears grow over Ankara's threats against Kurdish forces in the war-torn country.

He added that "ridding Syria of terrorists" is among Turkey's key priorities for this year, as he called on France to take back jihadists that left to join the war in Syria and put them on trial.

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Friday that the state will begin disarming southern Lebanon, particularly the south Litani region, to establish its presence across the country.

"We are in a new phase - in this new phase, we will start with south Lebanon and south Litani specifically in order to pull weapons so that the state can be present across Lebanese territory," Mikati said.

US President Joe Biden welcomed the election of Joseph Aoun as Lebanon's president on Thursday, saying in a statement that the army chief was the "right leader" for the crisis-ridden country.

"President Aoun has my confidence. I believe strongly he is the right leader for this time," said Biden, adding that Aoun would provide "critical leadership" in overseeing an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.

"We finally have a president," Biden said later, at the end of a meeting on the response to major wildfires in the US city of Los Angeles.

He said he had spoken to Aoun by phone on Thursday for "20 minutes to half an hour," describing the Lebanese leader as a "first-rate guy."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Aoun's election "a moment of historic opportunity," which offered Lebanon a chance to "establish durable peace and stability."

Israel’s army confirmed Friday that one of the bodies recovered from Gaza earlier this week was that of 23-year-old hostage Hamzah Al-Zayadni.

His body was retrieved with that of his father, Yosef Al-Zayadni , who were taken together when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel 15 months ago. His father was quickly identified, while his son’s remains were sent for verification.