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L'Orient-Le Jour
4 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
A meeting between Syrian and Israeli officials aimed to defuse the escalation, according to a diplomatic source
A recent meeting in Paris between Syrian and Israeli officials, mediated by the United States, aimed to 'contain the escalation' between the two countries following intercommunal violence in southern Syria that prompted Israeli intervention, a Syrian diplomatic source said on Saturday. In July, Israel bombed targets in Damascus and in the predominantly Druze region of Sweida in southern Syria, claiming it sought to protect the Druze community and enforce a demilitarization of the area. According to a Syrian diplomatic source cited Saturday by state television, 'a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the General Intelligence Directorate' took part in Thursday's meeting with 'the Israeli side,' during which 'recent security developments and efforts to contain the escalation in southern Syria' were discussed. On Thursday, U.S. envoy for Syria Tom Barrack confirmed he had met with Syrian and Israeli representatives in Paris, without identifying them by name. A senior diplomat told AFP that Mr. Barrack hoped to facilitate dialogue between Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Chaibani and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer. Participants also discussed 'the possibility of reactivating the disengagement agreement with international guarantees, while demanding the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from positions they have recently advanced into.' Since the fall of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in December and the rise of the new Islamist government, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria and deployed forces in the demilitarized buffer zone of the Golan Heights, violating the 1974 security agreement between the two countries, according to the United Nations. Israel has also conducted incursions into southern Syria. Damascus had previously confirmed indirect contacts with Israel aimed at a return to the 1974 agreement, which established the buffer zone. The Paris meeting 'did not result in any final agreement,' but allowed for 'preliminary consultations aimed at reducing tensions and reopening communication channels,' the diplomatic source said. It was agreed that further meetings would be held, the source added, emphasizing that the Syrian side had stressed the country's unity and sovereignty were non-negotiable. A prior meeting between Syrian and Israeli officials was held on July 12 in Baku, on the sidelines of a visit by Syria's interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa, according to a diplomatic source in Damascus. Israel and Syria remain technically at war since 1948, and Israel has occupied part of the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967. Une rencontre entre Syriens et Israéliens visait à désamorcer l'escalade, selon une source diplomatique
Leaders
06-07-2025
- Business
- Leaders
UK Reestablishes Diplomatic Ties with Syria, British FM Visits Damascus
British Foreign Minister David Lammy visited Syria on Saturday and held an official meeting with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, according to Reuters. The visit marked the reestablishment of full diplomatic relations between both countries after the country's years-long civil war. 'The UK is reestablishing diplomatic relations because it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians,' Lammy said in a statement. Lifting Sanctions Lammy's visit comes after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order terminating a US sanctions program on Syria. This move played a crucial role in rebuilding the country and ending its isolation from the international financial system. In this context, Lammy noted that Britain would leverage firm Syria's stability by 'reducing the risk of irregular migration, ensuring the destruction of chemical weapons' and 'tackling the threat of terrorism'. Moreover, he added that the fall of Assad's regime represented an opportunity to 'fully declare and destroy Assad's evil chemical weapons programme.' British Foreign Minister David Lammy In April, 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.' Financial Support Britain's Foreign Office stressed London's commitment of providing an extra $129 million to for 'urgent humanitarian aid' and supporting Syria's reconstruction as well as countries hosting Syrian refugees. Related Topics: Syria Unveils New National Emblem Boasting Golden Eagle Trump Lifts Decades-old US Sanctions on Syria Syria Ready to Cooperate with US to Reimplement 1974 Disengagement Deal with Israel Short link : Post Views: 21
LBCI
21-06-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Syrian security forces arrest Bashar al-Assad's cousin at Lebanon border: SANA
Syrian security forces, in cooperation with the General Intelligence Directorate, have arrested Wasim al-Assad, a cousin of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, near the Syrian-Lebanese border, a security source in the Homs countryside told the state-run SANA news agency on Saturday.
Jordan News
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
Syria: Arrest of Bashar al-Assad's Cousin - Jordan News
Syria's General Intelligence Directorate, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, has arrested Wassim al-Assad, a cousin of the deposed Syrian regime leader, in a tightly coordinated security operation carried out by a special task force unit. اضافة اعلان The security force successfully lured Wassim into a well-planned ambush, leading to his arrest without resistance. Wassim al-Assad is considered one of the most prominent figures involved in drug trafficking and has been linked to multiple criminal activities during the former regime's rule, according to Syria TV. The operation comes as part of ongoing efforts by Syrian authorities to pursue fugitives and enhance stability, in the context of a continuing campaign against organized crime and illicit drug trafficking, according to a statement by the Ministry of Interior. The U.S. Treasury Department had previously listed Wassim al-Assad—alongside Nouh Zeiter—on its sanctions list in late March of last year, citing their support for the deposed regime through the production and smuggling of Captagon. About a month later, the European Union also added Wassim al-Assad's name, along with two other Assad family members, to its sanctions list for the same reason.
Leaders
13-05-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Syria Welcomes Trump's Statement on Possible Relief of Sanctions
Syria has welcomed the US President Donald Trump's remarks regarding the possibility of reliving sanctions on Syria as the new government seeks to reshape its international status after a decade of civil war, AFP reported. Trump's Remarks 'We are going to have to make a decision on the sanctions, which we may very well relieve. We may take them off of Syria because we want to give them a fresh start,' Mr Trump told journalists at the White House. These remarks came ahead of his scheduled Gulf tour and the first official visit abroad of his second presidency. 'Encouraging Step' Syria described this move as 'an encouraging step towards alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people,' according to the Syrian Foreign Ministry. 'The Syrian people aspire to a full lifting of these sanctions, as part of broader measures that support peace and prosperity in both Syria and the region,' it added. The Syrian government has been seeking to strengthen ties with European countries and the US for the sake of lifting sanctions. However, Trump's administration has not officially recognized Syria's government, led by President Ahmad Al Sharaa. UK Lifts Sanctions Last month, the British government 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. New Chapter with South Korea In a remarkable milestone in the Syrian foreign policy, Syria and South Korea has recently unfolded a new chapter of diplomatic relations, 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. 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. Related Topics: LIVE: President Trump Begins Gulf Tour with Visit to Saudi Arabia Video: Saudi Crown Prince Receives Trump in Riyadh No Decentralization: Syria Warns Kurds against Delay in Integrating into State Short link : Post Views: 1
