US lists demands at UN as Syria seeks sanctions relief
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani is seen on a translator's screen as he addresses to members of the Security Council during a meeting about the situation in Syria, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, U.S., April 25, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani addresses members of the Security Council during a meeting about the situation in Syria, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, U.S., April 25, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
UNITED NATIONS - The United States publicly spelled out at the United Nations on Friday the steps it wants Syria to take before Washington will change its stance toward the country, as Syria's foreign minister appealed for tough sanctions to be lifted.
Reuters reported last month that Washington had handed Syria a list of conditions it wants Damascus to fulfill in exchange for partial sanctions relief. On Friday, acting U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Dorothy Shea listed them publicly.
She said the U.S. wants Syria's authorities to fully renounce and suppress terrorism, adopt a policy of non-aggression to neighboring states, exclude foreign terrorist fighters from any official roles, prevent Iran and its proxies from exploiting Syrian territory, destroy weapons of mass destruction, assist in the recovery of U.S. citizens disappeared in Syria, and ensure the security and freedoms of all Syrians.
"The United States continues to observe the actions of the interim authorities and will determine our actions based on a pattern of behavior. The core leadership must move beyond its past," Shea told the 15-member Security Council.
Former President Bashar al-Assad was toppled in December by a lightning rebel offensive after a brutal 14-year civil war and there is now a new Islamist leadership in Damascus. The newly adopted Syrian flag was raised at the U.N. on Friday.
SYRIA SEEKS TO SHOW PROGRESS
Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, addressing the Security Council for the first time, sought to show that Syria was addressing some of the demands listed by the U.S. and appealed for sanctions to be lifted.
"Those who demand more from Syria are the same ones who insist on maintaining many sanctions imposed against it. These sanctions force Syria to play the role of an aid dependent country rather than being a partner in global economic growth," he told the Security Council.
Tough U.S. sanctions imposed during Assad's rule remain in place. In January, the U.S. issued a six-month exemption for some sanctions to encourage aid, but this has had limited effect and Reuters reported in February that efforts to pay public sector salaries with foreign financing had been hampered by uncertainty over whether it could breach U.S. sanctions.
"These restrictive measures imposed against the previous regime prevent capital and expertise from entering our country while allowing illicit networks to flourish," al-Shibani said.
He said Syria was combating Islamic State militants, working constructively with the U.N. chemical weapons watchdog, uniting military factions, preserving state institutions and taking steps toward constitutional reform. It had also launched a national dialogue, he said.
"We will also announce genuine steps towards a national parliament that represents the Syrian people," al-Shibani said.
He said Syria would establish a commission for missing persons and was ready to coordinate with the U.S. to also search for Americans missing in Syria. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Swiss government backs agreement strengthening economic ties to EU
FILE PHOTO: Switzerland's national flag flies beside the one of the European Union in Steinhausen, Switzerland February 11, 2020. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/ File Photo ZURICH - The Swiss cabinet on Friday approved a deal struck in December with the European Union aimed at deepening bilateral economic ties and has now launched a domestic consultation process. Global geopolitical uncertainty made it a "strategic necessity" to maintain stable and predictable relations with the EU, Switzerland's top trading partner, the government said. "By fixing our economic and political relations with the EU we increase our security," Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis told reporters, adding that Switzerland belonged to Europe not only geographically, but also economically and socially. "An old Arabic proverb says 'he who lives in peace with his neighbours sleeps without fear,'" Cassis said, noting that instability had become the "new normal". Issues such as wage protections, immigration and electricity as well as the type of referendum to be held on the accord have all been settled over the last five months. The consultation process will last until October 31, the cabinet said. After that has been completed, the package of measures will go to parliament in the first quarter of 2026, before a referendum is held, probably in 2028. Studies show the Swiss economy could suffer a cumulative economic hit of more than 520 billion Swiss francs ($640.87 billion) by 2045 without an agreement, the government said. Pursuing closer ties with Brussels is contentious in Switzerland, where nationalist opponents of closer integration say that it risks undermining the country's higher living standards and unique character. Analysts expect the government to face a tough campaign to win a referendum, and critics were quick to hit out. "Switzerland is facing a historically unprecedented treaty that will destroy the proven and successful foundations of sovereignty, direct democracy, separation of powers and federalism," said the campaign group Pro Schweiz. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
France's Macron says Iran responsible for destabilising region
French President Emmanuel Macron holds a press conference, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Friday, June 13, 2025. Michel Euler/Pool via REUTERS PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that Iran bore a heavy responsibility for destabilisation of the Middle East and that it had pushed ahead with an unjustified nuclear programme, but he also urged restraint after Israel struck Iran. After a day of talks with regional and international leaders following Israeli strikes on Iranian military targets, notably its nuclear sites, Macron said Tehran was close to a "critical point" in acquiring a nuclear weapon. Iran has consistently denied seeking one. "Iran bears a very heavy responsibility for the destabilisation of the region," Macron said. "Iran is continuing to enrich uranium without any civilian justification and to levels that are very close to what is needed for a nuclear device," he said. While he urged restraint, Macron acknowledged that resuming diplomatic efforts, specifically U.S. negotiations on a nuclear deal with Iran that started two months ago, would be difficult. "The current situation has a risk of uncontrolled escalation," he said, adding that Iran's activities threatened Europe. Warning of a possible impact on the global economy, Macron said France would defend Israel if it was attacked by Iran as it had done in the past, but he ruled out taking part in any operation against Tehran. France and Israel, traditionally close allies, have had frosty relations in recent months with Macron increasingly critical over Israel's war in Gaza. Macron said France's support for Israel was not unconditional and that Paris has the right to disagree with some Israeli government decisions because "they are sometimes against Israel's security interests." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Vietnam admitted as Brics ‘partner country,' Brazil says
A view shows a banner with the logo of the annual BRICS summit next to the Kazan Kremlin in Kazan, Russia October 22, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo SAO PAULO - Vietnam has been formally admitted as a "partner country" of the Brics group of major emerging economies, Brazil's government said on Friday, as the bloc presses ahead with an expansion push. Vietnam is the tenth nation to receive this status, which allows invited countries to participate in Brics summits and other discussion sessions. Vietnam had expressed earlier this year it was ready to discuss a partnership with Brics, whose original members were Brazil, Russia, India and China. "The government of Brazil welcomes the decision of the Vietnamese government," said the South American country, which holds the bloc's presidency in 2025. "Vietnam stands out as a relevant actor in Asia. Its efforts in favor of South-South cooperation and sustainable development reinforce its convergence with the interests of the group," it added. Founded in 2009 and soon expanded to add South Africa, the group has recently also included Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, making it a growing diplomatic counterweight to traditional Western powers. Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan are its other partner countries. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
