Syria, US and France hold 'frank' talks, urge success of Syria's transition
Syria, the United States, and France issued a joint statement on Friday, stating that they had agreed to expedite efforts to ensure the success of Syria's transition, unity, and territorial integrity.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani, French Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barrot, and US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack met in Paris, days after a ceasefire halted bloodshed in Syria's southern province of Sweida.
Hundreds of people were reported killed in the clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes, and government forces, and Israel carried out airstrikes to prevent what it said was the mass killing of Druze.
In a joint statement, the Syrian, US, and French officials said they had held "a very frank and productive meeting at a critical moment for Syria."
Underlining the importance of engaging quickly to ensure the success of Syria's political transition following the fall of deposed president Bashar al-Assad, they said they had agreed on the need to ensure Syria's neighbors do not pose a threat and that Syria does not pose a threat to its neighbors.
They also agreed to support efforts to hold those responsible for violence accountable, the statement said.
They committed to cooperating on the 'shared fight against terrorism in all forms' and to strengthening the capacity of the Syrian government to address security challenges.
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer had met in Paris earlier with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, in the presence of US Ambassador Tom Barrack.
This meeting was held to discuss dialogue and de-escalation, according to the ambassador.
Last week's clashes underlined the challenges interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa faces in stabilising Syria and maintaining centralised rule, despite warming ties with the US and his administration's evolving security contacts with Israel.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
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