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Global Diplomats Meet in Riyadh to Shape Post-Assad Syria’s Future
Regional and International Leaders Convene in Saudi Arabia
Foreign ministers and top diplomats from Western and Middle Eastern countries gathered in Riyadh on Sunday to meet Syria’s new foreign minister, Asaad Hassan Al-Shibani. This marks the first such regional meeting on Syria since President Bashar al-Assad was ousted last month.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in Riyadh ahead of the meeting, while British Foreign Minister David Lammy was also expected to attend, according to a UK Foreign Office statement.
Participants in the Meeting
The conference includes foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. Envoys from the European Union and the United States are also present, alongside other senior Western and Arab officials.
Background: Syria’s Political Shift
On December 8, a rebel offensive led by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Assad’s regime. HTS has since established a caretaker government, with Al-Shibani appointed as foreign minister.
Agenda for the Riyadh Talks
The discussions, led by Saudi Arabia, focus on:
- Supporting Syria’s interim government.
- Establishing accountability mechanisms for war crimes committed under Assad’s regime.
- Addressing regional concerns over Syria’s new rulers and steps for international recognition.
The meeting follows a series of diplomatic events, including a European-led discussion on Syria in Rome and a regional summit hosted by Jordan in December.
Sanctions and Humanitarian Assistance
- Germany, Italy, and France have advocated relaxing EU sanctions, though final decisions rest with the entire bloc.
- The United States has issued a six-month sanctions exemption for transactions with Syrian governing institutions to facilitate humanitarian assistance.
This meeting represents a critical step in shaping Syria’s post-Assad future and addressing challenges associated with its new leadership.