Latest news with #AsaadAl-Shibani
Ya Biladi
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco to reopen embassy in Syria, closed since 2012
King Mohammed VI has ordered the reopening of Morocco's embassy in Damascus, which has been closed since 2012. «This gesture will open new horizons in the historical relations between our two countries and our two peoples», declared the monarch in a speech delivered at the Arab League summit held on Saturday, May 17, in Baghdad. The address was read by Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. On the sidelines of the summit, the Moroccan foreign minister met with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Al-Shibani, in the Iraqi capital. Their discussions focused on implementing the royal directive. Bourita announced that a Moroccan technical delegation will travel to Syria next week to assess preparations for the embassy's reopening. Meanwhile, Al-Shibani said that a Syrian technical team will be sent to restore Syria's diplomatic representation in Rabat. As a reminder, Moroccan authorities expelled the accredited Syrian ambassador from Rabat in July 2012. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, Morocco officially resumed contact with the new Syrian authorities. Nasser Bourita held a phone call with Asaad Al-Shibani on December 30, 2024. The two ministers later met for the first time on March 7 in Mecca, on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting that brought together representatives from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Morocco, Syria, Egypt, and Jordan.
Arab News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Syria's foreign minister met State Dept officials in New York, sources say
WASHINGTON: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani met with senior US State Department officials on Tuesday in New York, two sources familiar with the matter said, as Damascus seeks a clear road map from Washington on how to secure permanent sanctions relief. Shibani has been in the United States for meetings at the United Nations, where he raised the three-star flag of Syria's uprising as the official Syrian flag 14 years after the country's civil war erupted. Syria's long-time oppressive ruler, Bashar Assad, was ousted by a lightning rebel offensive in December. Tuesday's meeting was the first between US officials and Shibani to take place on US territory and comes after Syria responded earlier this month to a list of conditions set by Washington for possible partial sanctions relief. It was not immediately clear who Shibani met with from the State Department, although one of the sources earlier said he was expected to meet with a group of US officials including Dorothy Shea, acting US ambassador to the United Nations. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that 'some representatives of the Syrian interim authorities' were in New York for the UN meetings, but declined to say whether any meetings with American officials were planned. 'We continue to assess our Syria policy cautiously and will judge the interim authorities by their actions. We are not normalizing diplomatic relations with Syria at this time, and I can preview nothing for you regarding any meetings,' she said. Damascus is keen to hear a realistic path forward from the United States for permanent sanctions relief while conveying a realistic timeline to deliver on Washington's demands for the lifting of the sanctions, one of the sources said. The United States last month handed Syria a list of eight conditions it wants Damascus to fulfill, including destroying any remaining chemical weapons stockpiles and ensuring foreigners are not given senior governing roles. Reuters was first to report that Natasha Francheschi, deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, handed the list of conditions to Shibani at an in-person meeting on the sidelines of a Syria donor conference in Brussels on March 18. Syria is in desperate need of sanctions relief to kickstart an economy collapsed by years of war, during which the United States, Britain and Europe imposed tough sanctions in a bid to put pressure on Assad. In January, the US issued a six-month exemption for some sanctions to encourage humanitarian aid, but this has had limited effect. In exchange for fulfilling all the US demands, Washington would extend that suspension for two years and possibly issue another exemption, sources told Reuters in March. In its response to US demands, Syria pledges to set up a liaison office at the foreign ministry to find missing US journalist Austin Tice and detail its work to tackle chemical weapons stockpiles, including closer ties with a global arms watchdog. But it had less to say on other key demands, including removing foreign fighters and granting the US permission for counterterrorism strikes, according to the letter.
Leaders
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Syria's Foreign Minister Participates at UN Meeting
Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani appeared on April 25, at the United Nations headquarters in New York and to participate in a UN Security Council briefing, according to the Associated Press. This meeting marked the first public appearance by a senior Syrian official in the US since the ousting of Bashar Assad. The new Syrian government has been attempting to build strong relations with Western countries in order to alleviate the harsh sanctions of US and its allies imposed during Asaad's rule. This week, a Syrian delegation headed to the US to take part in World Bank and International Monetary Fund meetings in Washington and UN meetings in New York. However, it is not obvious whether Trump administration officials would meet with al-Shibani during the visit. Importantly, Washington has not officially recognized the current Al-Sharaa's Syrian government yet. Moreover, the US has not lifted the sanctions, although it has provided temporary relief to some restrictions. New Gains The British government has recently 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. Related Topics: Syria's Al-Sharaa Strengthens Ties with UAE President at Abu Dhabi Syria, Lebanon Sign Border Demarcation Agreement in Jeddah Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Israeli Attack on Syria's Koya Short link : Post Views: 1
Roya News
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Syrian President heads to UAE on official visit
Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara, accompanied by Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani, has departed for the United Arab Emirates on an official visit. The visit aims to discuss several issues of mutual interest between the two countries, according to Syria's state news agency SANA. Talks are expected to focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation across political and economic fields, as well as addressing regional and international developments. The visit comes as part of efforts to strengthen ties between Damascus and Abu Dhabi and coordinate positions on key issues in the region.
Shafaq News
18-03-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Brussels conference: Donors pledge + $6B aid for Syria
Shafaq News/ International donors pledged €5.8 billion ($6.3 billion) in aid for Syria at a Brussels conference on Monday, but the total fell short of last year's commitments as US funding declines. The commitment was made at the ninth edition of the Brussels Conference, 'Standing with Syria: Meeting the Needs for a Successful Transition.' The European Union led the pledges, contributing nearly €2.5 billion ($2.7 billion) to support Syrians inside the country and in neighboring states. Germany and the UK also made significant contributions of $330 million and $210 million, respectively. However, overall commitments were down from the €7.5 billion promised at last year's conference. US representative Natasha Franceschi did not specify new American funding, instead calling for other nations to take on a greater share. 'During the last 14 years, the United States has provided more assistance for the Syrian people than any other nation, more than $18.3 billion,' she said. 'We will continue to provide certain assistance in line with US policies and laws, but we also now expect that other nations are going to help shoulder the financial burden.' For the first time, Syria's transitional government participated in the conference, with Syrian FM Asaad Al-Shibani urging donors to increase aid and ease sanctions.
