France to 'stand with Syrians' as world engages with new rulers
A French delegation arrived Tuesday at the country's embassy in Damascus, the first visit of diplomats from France since Bashar al-Assad's ouster by Islamist-led rebels.
Visiting French special envoy for Syria Jean-Francois Guillaume said his country was preparing to stand with Syrians during the transitional period.
"France is preparing to be with Syrians" during the transitional period "which we hope will be peaceful", Guillaume told journalists, adding that his delegation had come to "make contact with the de facto authorities in Damascus", while an AFP journalist saw the French flag raised in the embassy's entrance hall for the first time since the mission was shuttered in 2012.
France's foreign ministry said that France urged Syria's new rulers to press on with the fight against Islamic State (IS) extremists who had controlled swathes of the country during one phase of its civil war.
The French diplomats made clear that Paris would closely watch security in Syria "including continuing the fight against Daesh (IS) and other terrorist groups, and preventing the proliferation of the Syrian regime's chemical weapons," the foreign ministry said.
- EU to engage with new Syria -
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said Tuesday Brussels would intensify its "direct engagement" with Syria's new rulers.
"Now we have to step up and continue our direct engagement with HTS and other factions," she told a news conference in Ankara, adding that "the risk of a Daesh (Islamic State) resurgence... is real. We cannot let this happen."
- German diplomats to hold first talks with new Syrian govt -
Germany says its diplomats will hold their first talks on Tuesday with the new Syrian government installed by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group.
The Foreign Ministry in Berlin said the talks will center on an "inclusive transition process" in Syria and the protection of minorities. The German delegation also plans to sound out the possibility of a German diplomatic presence in Damascus, and will meet representatives of Christian communities among others.
The ministry said in a statement that "we know where HTS comes from and know its origins in al-Qaida ideology," and said that Germany is watching the activities of the group and the interim government closely.
"As far as can be said at all at this point, they are acting prudently so far," it added. "Like our international partners, we will measure them by their actions. Any cooperation requires that ethnic and religious minorities be protected and women’s rights respected."
The U.S. has already said that its officials have been in direct contact with HTS.
Germany has been a leading destination for Syrian refugees over the past decade.
- British diplomats meet Jolani -
British diplomats had met Monday with al-Jolani.
Photographs posted by the group on social media showed senior officials, including the U.K. special representative for Syria, Ann Snow, meeting Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, in Damascus on Monday.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed Monday that Britain had sent "a delegation of senior U.K. officials to Damascus this week for meetings with the new Syrian authorities and members of civil society groups."
Britain, along with the U.S. and other countries, classifies HTS, a former al-Qaida affiliate, as a terrorist organization. U.K. officials have suggested they may reconsider that designation, but have not given a timeline. They say British officials can still talk to HST in the meantime.
In an interview with the Times of London newspaper, Al-Sharaa urged the West to lift sanctions and said Israel should stop its strikes on Syria.
"We do not want any conflict whether with Israel or anyone else and we will not let Syria be used as a launchpad for attacks," he was quoted as saying. "The Syrian people need a break, and the strikes must end and Israel has to pull back to its previous positions."
The United Nations humanitarian chief also met Monday in Damascus with Syria's new leaders, saying there was a "basis for ambitious scaling-up of vital humanitarian support".
"Moment of cautious hope in Syria," Tom Fletcher said on X after meeting Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who now uses his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa and who heads Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the lightning offensive that ousted president Bashar al-Assad.
