Latest news with #AsaadAlShibani
CTV News
2 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Syria to hold first parliamentary elections since Assad's fall in September
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, left, meets with Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, center, and Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad, chairman of the Higher Committee for People's Assembly Elections, right, in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, July 27, 2025. (SANA via AP) DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria will hold parliamentary elections in September, the head of a body tasked with organizing the election process told state media Sunday. Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad, chairman of the Higher Committee for People's Assembly Elections, told state news agency SANA that elections will take place between Sept. 15 and 20. They will be the first to take place under the country's new authorities after the fall of former President Bashar Assad in a lightning rebel offensive in December. One third of the 210 seats will the appointed by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, with the rest to be elected. In a recent interview with the Erem News site, another member of the elections committee, Hassan al-Daghim, said an electoral college will be set up in each of Syria's provinces to vote for the elected seats. A temporary constitution signed by al-Sharaa in March called for a People's Committee to be set up to serve as an interim parliament until a permanent constitution is adopted and general elections held, a process that could take years. The announcement of impending elections comes at a time when the country is increasingly divided in its views of the new authorities in Damascus after sectarian violence broke out in the southern province of Sweida earlier this month. The fighting killed hundreds of people and threatened to unravel Syria's fragile postwar transition. The violent clashes, which broke out two weeks ago, were sparked by tit-for-tat kidnappings between armed Bedouin clans and fighters from the Druze religious minority. Syrian government forces intervened, ostensibly to end the fighting, but effectively sided with the clans. Some government fighters reportedly executed Druze civilians and burned and looted houses. Israel intervened, launching airstrikes on government forces and on the Defense Ministry headquarters. Israel said it was acting to defend the Druze minority. The Associated Press
Arab News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Syria, US and France agree to engage in efforts to support Syria's transition
PARIS: Syria's foreign minister held frank and productive talks with the United States and France at which they said on Friday they underlined the importance of ensuring the success of Syria's political 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. Paris has long been the diplomatic heart of vital discussions like those we shared today. A stable, secure, and unified Syria is built on the foundation stone of great neighbors and allies. In the words of @SecRubio, conflicts end thanks to 'hard, vibrant diplomacy that the U.S.… — Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) July 25, 2025 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 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 Syria's political transition following the fall of President Bashar 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. Last week's clashes underlined the challenges interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa faces in stabilising Syria and maintaining centralized rule, despite warming ties with the US and his administration's evolving security contacts with Israel.
Qatar Tribune
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Al Khulaifi holds phone call with Syrian foreign minister
Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi held a phone call on Thursday with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic HE Asaad Al Shibani. During the call, the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation and ways to strengthen and support it, as well as the latest developments in Syria, particularly in the city of As-Suwayda, and the ongoing Israeli attacks on Syrian territory. He stressed the importance of holding all parties accountable for the bloodshed of civilians in As-Suwayda and ensuring that they do not escape justice, underlining the need to intensify efforts to reinforce civil peace through dialogue and peaceful means. He also reaffirmed the State of Qatar's full solidarity with Syria in all measures it takes to safeguard its security and stability, reiterating Qatar's firm position in support of Syria's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and the aspirations of its people for a dignified life.
Qatar Tribune
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Al Khulaifi reaffirms Qatar's solidarity with Syria in face of Israeli aggression
QNA Doha Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi held a phone call with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Syria Asaad Al Shibani on Thursday. During the call, the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation and ways to strengthen and support it, as well as the latest developments in Syria, particularly in the city of As-Suwayda, and the ongoing Israeli attacks on Syrian territory. The Minister of State stressed the importance of holding all parties accountable for the bloodshed of civilians in As-Suwayda and ensuring that they do not escape justice, underlining the need to intensify efforts to reinforce civil peace through dialogue and peaceful means. He also reaffirmed Qatar's full solidarity with Syria in all measures it takes to safeguard its security and stability, reiterating Qatar's firm position in support of Syria's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and the aspirations of its people for a dignified life. The Minister of State also held a phone call with Walid Jumblatt, former president of the Progressive Socialist Party of Lebanon. They discussed developments in Lebanon and the region, as well as the latest developments in the City of As-Suwayda in the Arab Republic of Syria. Dr Khulaifi reiterated Qatar's position calling for holding accountable all the parties that caused the shedding of blood of innocent civilians in As-Suwayda and ensuring they don't escape punishment, and to intensify efforts promoting civil peace through dialogue and peaceful means.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US to remove Syria's HTS from list of foreign terror groups
The US is set to take the Syrian Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) off its list of foreign terrorist organisations on Tuesday, according to a state department memo. The group led a rebel offensive in December that toppled the Assad regime, which had ruled Syria for 54 years. Its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa is now the country's interim president. HTS, also known as al-Nusra Front, was previously al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria until al-Sharaa severed ties in 2016. In recent months, Western countries have sought to reset relations with Syria - which has faced heavy sanctions aimed at the old regime. In late June, President Trump signed an executive order to formally end US sanctions against the country, with the White House saying the move was intended to support its "path to stability and peace". It added it would monitor the new Syrian government's actions including "taking concrete steps toward normalising ties with Israel" as well as "addressing foreign terrorists" and "banning Palestinian terrorist groups". Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said the move would "lift the obstacle" to economic recovery and open the country to the international community. On Friday, Syria said it was willing to cooperate with the US to reimplement a 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel. Over the weekend, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited Syria - the first government minister to do so in 14 years. He met with al-Sharaa and announced an additional £94.5m support package - aimed at supporting longer-term recovery and countries helping Syrian refugees. The UK earlier lifted sanctions on Syria's defence and interior ministries. Ninety percent of Syria's population were left under the poverty line when the Assad regime was ousted after 13 years of devastating civil war. Al-Sharaa has promised a new Syria, but there are concerns within the country about how the new government is operating - with some suspicious of his radical past. Only one female government minister has been appointed to date - and al-Sharaa has made almost every other appointment directly. There have also been multiple violent attacks against minority groups in recent months. In March, hundreds of civilians from the minority Alawite sect were killed during clashes between the new security forces and Assad loyalists. In April there were deadly clashes between Islamist armed factions, security forces and fighters from the Druze religious minority. And in June at least 25 people were killed in a suicide attack on a church in Damascus. David Lammy first UK minister to visit Syria since 2011 uprising From Syrian jihadist leader to rebel politician: How Abu Mohammed al-Jolani reinvented himself Trump revokes US sanctions on Syria
