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Leaders
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
UK Lifts Sanctions on Syria's Interior, Defense Ministries
The British government has lifted sanctions on Syria's interior and defense ministries marking the latest easing of sanctions following Assad's fall from power. Syria's General Intelligence Directorate, Air Force Intelligence Agency and National Security Bureau were also emitted from the list of entities subject to financial sanctions by the U.K, according to Reuters. Such sanctions were primarily due to the repression of civilian population or 'supporting or benefiting from the Syrian regime.' In this regard, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa stated that lifting sanctions would prevent another civil war in Syria. 'Any chaos in Syria will damage not just neighboring countries but the whole world,' Al-Sharaa said. Currently, the new Syrian government seeks to restore relations with Western and Arab countries and build new diplomatic relations to boost its stability and security. New Diplomatic Relations In a remarkable milestone in the Syrian foreign policy, Syria and South Korea unfolded a new chapter of diplomatic relations on Thursday, according to Arab News. A high-level delegation from South Korea has visited Syria and held several meetings with Senior officials in Syria. The Korean delegation met with Syria's President Al-Sharaa at the People's Palace in the Syrian capital. During the visit, Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Al-Shaibani signed an agreement with his South Korean counterpart, Cho Tae-yul, in Damascus to establish diplomatic ties between both countries. According to the SANA Agency, the new agreement would unleash new horizons of cooperation between Syria and Korea, open embassies and exchange diplomatic missions between both countries. Importantly, this cooperation seeks to restore Syria's international standing that has collapsed because of the policies of the former Assad regime. 'This development opens a new chapter of cooperation with Syria, whose bilateral relations with South Korea had been severed due to its close ties with North Korea,' South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Related Topics: Syria Resumes Direct Flights with UAE Syria's Al-Sharaa Strengthens Ties with UAE President at Abu Dhabi Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Israeli Attack on Syria's Koya Short link : Post Views: 14
Associated Press
24-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
UK lifts sanctions against some Syrian government agencies and media outlets
LONDON (AP) — The British government lifted sanctions against a dozen Syrian entities, including government departments and media outlets, the Foreign Office said Thursday. The U.K. had put the sanctions in place during the repressive rule of President Bashar Assad, who was overthrown in a lightning rebel offensive in December. Syria's new leaders have struggled to begin rebuilding the country's decimated economy and infrastructure after nearly 14 years of civil war. The new authorities in Damascus have made a push for harsh sanctions imposed by western countries on Assad's government to be lifted, with limited success. Financial sanctions and asset freezes that Britain had imposed against those who repressed civilians or supported Assad were lifted on several government agencies, including the ministries of interior and defense, the directorates of general intelligence and political security, the Air Force Intelligence Agency and Syrian National Security Bureau. Sanctions were also dropped against the General Organization of Radio and TV, a state-run agency that allegedly spread propaganda for Assad and incited violence against civilians. The Foreign Office said it also lifted sanctions against Al Watan, a newspaper, Cham Press TV, and Sama TV, for spreading misinformation. In March, the U.K. dropped sanctions against two dozen Syrian businesses, mostly banks and oil companies. The Trump administration in the U.S. has yet to formally recognize the new Syrian government led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, an Islamist former insurgent who led the offensive that ousted Assad. The militant group al-Sharaa led, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, remains a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, and the sanctions imposed on Damascus under Assad remain in place. However, Washington has eased some restrictions. The U.S. Treasury in January issued a general license, lasting six months, that authorizes certain transactions with the Syrian government, including some energy sales and incidental transactions. The European Union, meanwhile, has begun to ease some energy and transport sanctions and banking restrictions against Syria, suspending measures targeting oil, gas and electricity as well as transport, including the aviation sector.
