Latest news with #SyrianNationalDialogueConference
Asharq Al-Awsat
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Shares Security Expertise with Syrian Delegation
The Saudi Ministry of Interior hosted a Syrian security delegation from April 14 to 16 to review the Kingdom's security practices and benefit from its expertise. This move is part of Riyadh's ongoing efforts to support the Syrian government in achieving security and stability, while preserving Syria's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. The Syrian Ministry of Interior, in a statement carried by the official news agency SANA, confirmed that a delegation recently visited Riyadh on an official trip 'to promote bilateral cooperation in the fields of security and policing.' The ministry added that the visit aimed to examine Saudi security practices and benefit from its advanced expertise in related security areas, which would help develop Syria's security framework and enhance its ability to confront emerging challenges. The statement noted that this initiative is part of efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations, with Syria committed to supporting joint cooperation that serves national interests and promotes security and stability in the region. Earlier in February, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, marking his first foreign visit since his appointment. During their meeting, the two leaders discussed the latest developments in Syria, strategies to support its security and stability, and ways to enhance bilateral relations across various sectors. In a statement published by Syria's official news agency SANA, al-Sharaa said, 'We sensed and heard a genuine desire to support Syria in building its future, along with a commitment to uphold the will of the Syrian people and the unity and integrity of its territory.' Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, following a meeting with a Syrian delegation in Riyadh earlier this year, stated, 'The time has come for Syria to stabilize, rebuild, and make the most of its resources, most importantly its brotherly Syrian people.' In a post on X, the Saudi defense minister described the meeting as 'fruitful.' On February 25, Saudi Arabia welcomed the convening of the Syrian National Dialogue Conference, expressing hope that it would contribute to fulfilling the aspirations of the Syrian people and strengthening national unity. In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its support for efforts to build Syrian state institutions, foster stability, and improve the well-being of its citizens. The statement also reiterated Saudi Arabia's commitment to Syria's security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
The National
29-03-2025
- Politics
- The National
New Syrian government to be announced on Saturday night
Syria 's leadership is expected to announce a new technocratic government on Saturday evening that will address concerns about a lack of representation for the country's diverse ethnic and religious minorities in the running of the country after the dictator Bashar Al Assad was toppled in December. Interim President Ahmad Al Shara appointed close aides from his Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) group, which led the rebel offensive that ousted Mr Al Assad, to key positions after leading the rebel offensive that ended more than 50 years of Assad family rule. Mr Al Shara's administration has sought support from countries in the region and the West to help rebuild the country after more than 13 years of civil war that has left its economy in ruins. Both the US and EU have highlighted the importance of Syria having an inclusive government that involves religious and ethnic communities, women and "peaceful opposition forces". There were concerns about whether this would happen after a Syrian National Dialogue Conference convened by Mr Al Shara last month to discuss the country's future. "The conference was not adequately representative," Nicholas Lyall, senior researcher and political affairs specialist at Trends Research and Advisory in Abu Dhabi, wrote in The National. "The conference was not adequately representative. Young people were underrepresented, the leaders of various armed groups were absent, and the Kurdish official leadership from the Kurdish-majority areas of north-east Syria were also absent." Since then, Mr Al Shara and the leader of the Kurdish-led administration in the north-east, Mazloum Aabdi, have reached an agreement that would integrate the group into state institutions and guarantee Kurdish rights. Syria's significant Druze minority also reached an agreement with the Damascus government to integrate the sect's militias into the state apparatus, although some of its leaders have expressed reservations over the extremist background of the interim president and HTS, which was formerly affiliated to Al Qaeda. Mr Al Shar earlier this month signed a constitutional declaration that will be in force throughout a five-year transitional period. It provides for Islamic jurisprudence to be 'the main source' of legislation, while affirming the state's commitment to the unity of the land and people, and respect for the country's cultures, according to the drafting committee. On Friday, Mr Al Shara appointed a long-time critic of Mr Al Assad, Osama Al Rifai, as Grand Mufti of Syria, calling him "one of the finest scholars". In 2021, the now deposed president had issued a decree eliminating the post of Grand Mufti and expanding the powers of a government ministry overseeing religious affairs.
The National
18-03-2025
- Politics
- The National
Syria's current political transition isn't enough to end its cycle of violence
When the Syrian Popular Resistance militia, a faction loyal to the erstwhile Assad leadership, attacked the interim government's security forces and civilian hospitals in Latakia this month, the latter responded, but many other armed elements and individuals also joined the fray. In the melee, many hundreds of Alawite civilians were massacred. It is still unclear to what extent those atrocities were caused by government forces acting outside of directives issued by Damascus as opposed to armed elements and individuals with loose to no connection to the authorities taking advantage of the chaos to pursue 'revenge killings' against Alawites. Nonetheless, the government has largely restored control over Latakia and the surrounding region, declaring that it will hold those responsible for the civilian murders to account. However, as seen from the terrified reactions from the country's minority groups in recent days – exacerbated by Iranian and Hezbollah-supported disinformation campaigns that inflated the death count and peddled atrocity propaganda – such tragedies can easily spiral into country-wide instability. And preventing such situations from occurring in the future will largely come down to establishing a representative and inclusive transitional government in Damascus as soon as possible. Ensuring the centralisation (or at least better integration) of armed elements across the country, as well as enabling a legitimate transitional justice process to hold those guilty of Assad regime crimes to account, are both vital to stop disasters like the one just witnessed from happening again. Failing to establish an inclusive government is the bottleneck that will prevent these two imperatives from being achieved. First, and as I wrote previously in these pages, many armed factions in Syria are refusing to disarm and integrate into the new military because they either question the legitimacy of the new administration or lack confidence in its prospects for inclusive, benevolent rule. Elements of these factions were probably involved in the massacres perpetrated against Alawite civilians. Second, the fact that holding to account criminals associated with the Assad establishment has not started yet means sections of society are primed to pursue vigilante justice against an Alawite population that made up most of the previous regime. Such street justice, as seen over the past days, often doesn't distinguish between innocent and guilty Alawites. The solution – an accepted and legitimate transitional justice process – is something that can be achieved only if a transitional government that has the ethos and representativeness necessary to engage with the spectrum of civil society is established. Unfortunately, last month's Syrian National Dialogue Conference, a gathering held ostensibly to lay the ground for the formation of such a transitional government, was rushed and didn't cover all the bases. The conference was not adequately representative. Young people were underrepresented, the leaders of various armed groups were absent, and the Kurdish official leadership from the Kurdish-majority areas of north-east Syria were also absent. Women constituted just 20 per cent of the attendees, and some heavily populated, politically significant and societally diverse provinces had notably fewer representatives than others. The conference was not sufficiently substantive either. Its final statement – meant to serve as the guiding document for the formation of the transitional government – did not discuss power sharing, the rule of law, government formation, state political identity or governance structures. It also left out key points that had been discussed at the conference. Major disagreements on key issues were not ironed out. It is, therefore, critical for regional and international stakeholders to push the interim administration to address these shortcomings before it proceeds to create a transitional government. The committee that will apparently be formed to draft a permanent constitution should work with the conference preparatory committee to expand the national dialogue process to ensure it is properly representative and substantive. This can be done by expanding and improving the local consultation process – the two-week exercise preceding the conference that was geared to give communities across the country a chance to be heard by the national dialogue committee. Aside from being rushed, concerns emerged that these consultations lacked sufficient depth, and it was not clear if there was any mechanism for recording attendees' contributions. The transitional constitution that was released late last week – which will last for five years until the permanent constitution is consolidated – has elements that could be problematic, like for instance the amount of power granted to the executive office. Accordingly, the new committee tasked with drafting the permanent constitution should work with the national dialogue committee to consolidate a far more systematic, rigorous and sustained process, beginning with local consultations and feeding into the national-level dialogue, addressing the aforementioned deficiencies. This will provide a much more representative and substantive discourse to inform the drafting of Syria's new constitution. It will also enable a more deliberative process for setting up a transitional government. All of this is necessary for the formation of a legitimate and genuinely representative transitional state that, by extension, reduces the possibility of tragedies like that just seen in Latakia from happening again.
Jordan Times
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
High-level meeting for Syria's neighbours reaffirms support for Syria's stability, sovereignty, post-war reconstruction efforts
Foreign ministers, defense ministers, chiefs of staff, and intelligence directors from Jordan, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon participate in the high-level meeting for Syria's neighbouring countries in Amman (Photo courtesy of Foreign Ministry) AMMAN — The high-level meeting for Syria's neighbouring countries in Amman wrapped up on Sunday, reaffirming support for the Syrian people in their efforts to rebuild their country, safeguard its stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The meeting brought together the foreign ministers, defense ministers, chiefs of staff, and intelligence directors from Jordan, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon. A joint statement was issued following the meeting, saying that the participants discussed "practical mechanisms for cooperation in combating terrorism, drug and weapon smuggling, border security, addressing other shared challenges in the region, and the developments in Syria." Participating countries affirmed support for the Syrian people in their efforts to rebuild their country based on principles that ensure Syria's security, stability, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the protection of the rights and safety of all its citizens. "Syria's security and stability are essential for the security and stability of the region," participants in the meeting said, condemning all attempts to undermine Syria's security, sovereignty, and peace. The statement also condemned Israel's Israeli aggression and interference in Syria, as "blatant violations of international law." The meeting called on the international community and the Security Council to carry out their responsibilities to end Israeli aggression and oblige Israel to withdrawal from all Syrian territories it occupies. The meeting also welcomed the outcomes of the Syrian National Dialogue Conference, and encouraged the brotherly Syrian people to finalise the constitutional declaration announced "as soon as possible." The participants also denounced all forms of terrorism and called for establishng a joint operations centre to coordinate efforts in fighting the Daesh terror group, and supporting existing regional and international efforts and platforms to eliminate the radical organisation. They also underlined the need for intensified cooperation and coordination in combating drug and weapon smuggling and transnational organised crime, offering support to Syria in enhancing its capabilities in this regard. The statement also affirmed support for the Syria people in their reconstruction efforts and the need for amplifying international support for recovery projects, and strengthening Syria's capacity to rebuild the state and overcome the obstacles to reconstruction. The meeting also underlined the importance of lifting sanctions on Syria to enhance its capacity for reconstruction and meet the needs of the Syrian people. "Working together with neighboring countries, the international community, and relevant UN organizations to create the security, living, and political conditions that would enable the safe and voluntary return of Syrian refugees to their homeland in accordance with international law. The international community must continue to bear full responsibility for refugees in host countries until their return to Syria is completed." The statement said that a second meeting for Syria's neighbouring countries will be held in Turkey next month to build on the discussions held in Amman.
Roya News
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Syria, neighboring countries meeting release final statement
A meeting took place in the Jordanian capital, Amman, today, involving the foreign ministers, defense ministers, chiefs of staff, and intelligence heads from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Turkey, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Republic of Iraq, and the Lebanese Republic. The primary focus of the meeting was to discuss ways to support the Syrian people in their efforts to rebuild their country based on principles that ensure Syria's unity, sovereignty, security, and stability. Additionally, the participants emphasized the importance of addressing terrorism and ensuring the safe, voluntary, and sustainable return of Syrian refugees, while protecting the rights of all Syrians. Following the meeting, a joint statement was issued, which included the following key points: The participants affirmed their support for the Syrian people in their efforts to rebuild their country on the basis of ensuring Syria's security, stability, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety and rights of its citizens. The security and stability of Syria are fundamental to regional peace and stability. The participants condemned all attempts and groups that threaten Syria's security, sovereignty, and peace. The meeting condemned the "Israeli" aggression on Syrian soil, as well as "Israeli" attempts to intervene in Syrian affairs. This, they stated, is a blatant violation of international law and an assault on Syria's sovereignty. They called for the international community, including the UN Security Council, to uphold international law and ensure "Israel's" withdrawal from all occupied Syrian territories, respecting the 1974 disengagement agreement between Syria and "Israel". The participants welcomed the outcomes of the Syrian National Dialogue Conference and encouraged the Syrian people to expedite the adoption of the constitutional declaration proposed by the conference. A strong condemnation of all forms of terrorism was expressed, alongside a commitment to collaborate in fighting terrorism militarily, security-wise, and ideologically. They announced the creation of a joint operations center for coordinating efforts against Daesh, and to support existing regional and international initiatives aimed at eliminating the terrorist organization and addressing Daesh prisons. The countries agreed to cooperate in combatting cross-border smuggling of drugs, arms, and organized crime, while also offering support to Syria in enhancing its capabilities to address these challenges. The meeting emphasized the importance of supporting Syria in its reconstruction efforts and urged the international community to increase aid targeting early recovery projects, thereby boosting Syria's capacity to rebuild and overcoming any obstacles hindering this process. There was a call to lift sanctions imposed on Syria to help facilitate its reconstruction and meet the needs of the Syrian people. Strengthening economic, trade, and investment cooperation was highlighted, particularly in infrastructure development, including energy and transport sectors between Syria and its neighboring countries, to support economic growth in the region. The participants committed to working together with the international community and UN agencies to create the necessary conditions for the safe and sustainable return of Syrian refugees, in accordance with international law. They called on the international community to continue its responsibilities towards refugees in host countries until their safe return to Syria is completed.
