Latest news with #AsaadHassanal-Shibani
Straits Times
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Syria's foreign minister met State Dept officials in New York, sources say
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani attends a Security Council meeting about the situation in Syria at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, U.S., April 25, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo WASHINGTON - Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani met with senior U.S. 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 al-Assad, was ousted by a lightning rebel offensive in December. Tuesday's meeting was the first between U.S. officials and Shibani to take place on U.S. 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 U.S. officials including Dorothy Shea, acting U.S. 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 U.N. 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 U.S. issued a six-month exemption for some sanctions to encourage humanitarian aid, but this has had limited effect. In exchange for fulfilling all the U.S. demands, Washington would extend that suspension for two years and possibly issue another exemption, sources told Reuters in March. In its response to U.S. demands, Syria pledges to set up a liaison office at the foreign ministry to find missing U.S. 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 U.S. permission for counterterrorism strikes, according to the letter. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Syria's foreign minister expected to meet with State Dept officials in New York, sources say
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani attends a Security Council meeting about the situation in Syria at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, U.S., April 25, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo Syria's foreign minister expected to meet with State Dept officials in New York, sources say WASHINGTON - Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani is set to meet with senior U.S. State Department officials later on Tuesday in New York, two sources familiar with the matter said, and plead with Washington to provide a clear roadmap for permanent sanctions relief for Syria. 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 war erupted. The meeting is the first between U.S. officials and Shibani that is taking place on U.S. territory and comes after Syria responded earlier this month to a list of conditions set by Washington for possible partial sanctions relief. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that "some representatives of the Syrian interim authorities" were in New York for the U.N. 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 former president Bashar al-Assad. In January, the U.S. issued a six-month exemption for some sanctions to encourage aid, but this has had limited effect. In exchange for fulfilling all the U.S. demands, Washington would extend that suspension for two years and possibly issue another exemption, sources told Reuters in March. In its response to U.S. demands, Syria pledges to set up a liaison office at the foreign ministry to find missing U.S. journalist Austin Tice and details 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 U.S. permission for counterterrorism strikes, according to the letter. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Syria's foreign minister expected to meet with State Dept officials in New York, sources say
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani attends a Security Council meeting about the situation in Syria at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, U.S., April 25, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani is set to meet with senior U.S. State Department officials later on Tuesday in New York, two sources familiar with the matter said, and plead with Washington to provide a clear roadmap for permanent sanctions relief for Syria. 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 war erupted. The meeting is the first between U.S. officials and Shibani that is taking place on U.S. territory and comes after Syria responded earlier this month to a list of conditions set by Washington for possible partial sanctions relief. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 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 14 years of war, during which the United States, Britain and Europe imposed tough sanctions in a bid to put pressure on former president Bashar al-Assad. In January, the U.S. issued a six-month exemption for some sanctions to encourage aid, but this has had limited effect. Damascus is keen to hear a realistic timeline from the United States for permanent sanctions relief, one of the sources said. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols in United Nations and Maya Gebeilly in Beirut; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
The Star
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
US lists demands at UN as Syria seeks sanctions relief
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 (Reuters) - 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. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
Straits Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
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.
