Latest news with #SyrianPeople
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Syrian president tells country reconstruction effort has ‘just begun'
Syria 's president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, said in a speech on Tuesday that the country's post-war reconstruction had 'just begun,' calling on his people to unite. Al-Sharaa was speaking at the 'Aleppo, Key to Victory' event in said city, the first major population center to fall during the opposition offensive that toppled longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December. Pictures of fighters killed in the battle for Aleppo were shown on screens prior to al-Sharaa's speech. 'O great Syrian people, the battle of construction has just begun,' Sharaa said to a jubilant crowd. 'Let us all unite and seek the help of God to create a bright future for a venerable country and a deserving people,' he added. Syria's 14-year civil war killed over half a million people and left the country in desperate need of reconstruction. Western sanctions imposed on al-Assad were recently lifted, paving the way for a potential recovery. Addressing the Syrian people, al-Sharaa said they 'let us seize the available opportunity and take on this duty.' 'Let our slogan be as we raised it before, we do not rest and we do not relax until we rebuild Syria anew and boast about it to the entire world,' he said.
LBCI
24-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Over 8 million Syrians were wanted by Assad intelligence, security services: Authorities
Syria's interior ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba said Saturday that more than eight million people were wanted by the intelligence and security services of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in December. Baba told a press conference in Damascus that "the number of people wanted by the former regime for political reasons exceeds eight million", adding that "we are talking about around a third of the Syrian people who had records and were wanted by the repressive intelligence and security agencies of the former regime." AFP
Asharq Al-Awsat
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Over 8 Million Syrians Were Wanted by Assad Intelligence, Security Services, Say Authorities
Syria's interior ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba said Saturday that around a third of the population had been wanted by the intelligence and security services of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in December. Baba told a press conference in Damascus that "the number of people wanted by the former regime for political reasons exceeds eight million". "We are talking about around a third of the Syrian people who had records and were wanted by the repressive intelligence and security agencies of the former regime," he said, adding that the ministry had been working to address the issue. After Syria's civil war broke out with Assad's brutal repression of peaceful anti-government protests, millions of Syrians found themselves caught in the dragnet of the feared security services, facing prosecution, abuse and rights violations. Many faced accusations of taking part in or promoting demonstrations, "undermining the prestige of the state", communicating with foreign parties or financing and supporting "terrorism". Assad used the term "terrorism" to describe all rebels and groups opposing his rule. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians were thrown into prison, where many faced torture and tens of thousands are still missing. Many people only found out they were wanted when they were detained at security checkpoints or as they sought to leave the country, because the charges were often issued secretly. Opposition faction toppled Assad in December after five decades of his family's iron-fisted rule and nearly 14 years of brutal war that killed more than half a million people and displaced millions more. Baba's remarks came on the sidelines of an announcement of a restructuring of the interior ministry that includes creating a number of new departments. They include a complaints department and a border security body in charge of Syria's land and sea frontiers that is tasked with "combating illegal activities, particularly drug and human smuggling networks". A tourism police department will be tasked with securing tourist sites and visitors in the war-torn country, home to important archaeological and UNESCO World Heritage sites including the ancient city of Palmyra. Since taking power, the new administration has been seeking to revitalize crumbling public administration and facilities, and has also announced the formation of commissions for missing persons and transitional justice. Rights groups, activists and the international community have repeatedly emphasized the importance of transitional justice in the war-ravaged country.
LBCI
21-05-2025
- Business
- LBCI
EU reaches agreement to lift economic sanctions on Syria, Kallas says
EU foreign ministers on Tuesday agreed to lift economic sanctions on Syria, the bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. "We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria," Kallas said in a post on social media platform X following discussions with ministers in Brussels. "The EU has always stood by Syrians throughout the last 14 years - and will keep doing so," Kallas said. Reuters
Asharq Al-Awsat
20-05-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
EU Reaches Agreement to Lift Economic Sanctions on Syria, Kallas Says
EU foreign ministers on Tuesday agreed to lift economic sanctions on Syria, the bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. "We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria," Kallas said in a post on social media platform X following discussions with ministers in Brussels. The European Union's policy shift comes after President Donald Trump said last week he would order the lifting of US sanctions on Syria. "The EU has always stood by Syrians throughout the last 14 years - and will keep doing so," Kallas said. The bloc has already eased sanctions related to energy, transport and reconstruction, as well as associated financial transactions, but some capitals have argued that the measures were insufficient to help support Syria's political transition and economic recovery. "The European Union wants to make a fresh start with Syria... but we also expect an inclusive policy within the country that includes all population groups and religious groups," Germany's foreign minister Johann Wadephul said in a written statement. "It is important to us that a united Syria can thus take its future into its own hands," he added. The bloc has already eased sanctions related to energy, transport and reconstruction, as well as associated financial transactions, but some capitals have argued that the measures were insufficient to help support Syria's political transition and economic recovery. Syria's foreign minister said that the lifting of sanctions shows an "international will" to support his country. In a press conference in Damascus alongside his Jordanian counterpart, Asaad Al-Shaibani said that "lifting sanctions expresses the regional and international will to support Syria," adding that "the Syrian people today have a very important and historic opportunity to rebuild their country." The country's new rulers have been clamoring for relief from the crushing international punishment imposed after Assad's crackdown on opponents spiraled into civil war. The latest move from the EU comes after it took a first step in February of suspending some sanctions on key Syrian economic sectors. Officials said those measures could be reimposed if Syria's new leaders break promises to respect the rights of minorities and move toward democracy.
