US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf said, “The administration of US President-elect Donald Trump will have to make many decisions regarding the set of sanctions imposed on Syria and its classification as a state sponsor of terrorism.”
In an interview with Al-Sharq News Agency, Leaf pointed out that discussions were being held with the next administration regarding the issue of sanctions on Syria, stressing that “these matters will be up to them when they take over their duties.” She cautioned that she advised them to continue direct engagement with the Syrians, and added that the issue of the forces remaining America in Syria is left to the next president, Donald Trump.
She indicated the start of consultations with Congress this week regarding initial measures regarding the “Caesar Act.”
The “Caesar Act” issued in 2020 targets anyone who provides economic or military support to Bashar al-Assad’s regime, and the United States has classified Syria since 1979 as a state sponsor of terrorism, which led to the imposition of sanctions that include an arms embargo and financial restrictions.
Leaf said that the US administration advised the leadership of the Syrian Democratic Forces and the other Kurdish civilian leadership to head towards Damascus “because the opportunity is available to them for the first time in decades to be part of one Syria.”
She continued: “We are in intense dialogue with Türkiye, the Kurds, and Damascus to ensure integration and reduce the fragility of stability in northeastern Syria through a ceasefire agreement.”
In turn, US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs John Bass confirmed, during his visit to the Turkish capital, Ankara, that his country understands Turkey’s security concerns, stressing the need for “foreign terrorists” to leave Syrian territory. This came in statements made by Bass to reporters via video conference technology, following a series of meetings with Turkish officials.
Bass described his meetings in Ankara as “fruitful and constructive,” noting that the main focus of the discussions focused on “the smooth political transition process in Syria,” and the practical steps to achieve that. He added that the United States is fully aware of Türkiye’s concerns related to security and combating terrorism, stressing that the two countries are working closely on these issues.
In response to a question about whether an understanding had been reached between Turkey and the United States regarding cleansing Syria of PKK elements, Bass said, “As Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned, we agree with the Turkish government and many other governments that Syria cannot and should not “In the future, it will be a safe haven for foreign terrorist organizations or foreign terrorists.”
Western warnings against appointing foreign fighters to military positions
In a related context, two informed sources told Reuters, “American, French and German envoys warned Syria’s new rulers that their appointment of ‘foreign jihadists’ to senior military positions represents a source of security concern and harms their image as they try to establish relations with foreign countries.”
An American official explained, “The warning issued by the United States, which comes within the framework of Western efforts to push Syria’s new rulers, to reconsider this step, came in a meeting between the American envoy, Daniel Rubinstein, and the de facto ruler of Syria, Ahmed Al-Shara, on Wednesday, at the presidential palace in Damascus.” “.
Also in Syria, the Daraa Governorate building, which is about 101 kilometers south of the capital, Damascus, and only 3 kilometers from the Jordanian border, witnesses intense daily meetings aimed at reaching consensuses related to dissolving the armed factions and joining the new Syrian army.
Media sources said, “Work is underway to disband the Fifth Corps and the Eighth Brigade, the largest factions in Daraa, which are led by Ahmed Al-Awda,” adding that “the dissolution of the two factions is in its final stages,” noting that the meetings are being held in the presence of leaders from the new Syrian administration, sent by Damascus to speed up the process. Dissolution and merger, to be in February at the latest.
Arab delegations to Damascus
The leader of the new Syrian administration, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, and the Syrian Foreign Minister, Asaad Al-Shaibani, received an Omani delegation headed by the special envoy of the Sultan of Oman, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Hinai, in the capital, Damascus.
For the first time in 15 years.. Mikati is in Damascus to meet Al-Sharaa
In his first visit in 15 years, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati will meet with the Commander of the Operations Department, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in Damascus, today, Saturday, becoming the first prime minister to visit the Syrian capital since the end of Bashar al-Assad’s rule.
According to the information, the two parties will discuss improving relations between the two countries and organizing the entry process from Lebanon to Syria and vice versa.
The two parties will also discuss the file of the return of displaced Syrians, in addition to opening the file of missing Lebanese and reports related to the circumstances of their disappearance in prisons.
Last week, Mikati received a phone invitation from Al-Sharaa to visit Syria.
On Thursday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun took the constitutional oath before the Lebanese Parliament following his election as president of the country in the second round of voting, after failing to obtain the necessary votes in the first session.
In his swearing-in speech, the new Lebanese president-elect pledged to establish “good relations with the Syrian state.”
Aoun called for “a serious dialogue with Syria based on respect for the sovereignty of the two countries,” stressing the maintenance of the borders between Syria and Lebanon.
For his part, Al-Sharaa, after leading the new administration, following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, on December 8, at the hands of armed factions, seeks to strengthen neighborhood relations. Al-Sharaa announced that he seeks good relations with all neighbors in Syria’s geographical surroundings.
In the first visit to Damascus, where European officials flock, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Taiani met yesterday, Friday, with the leader of the new administration, Ahmed Al-Sharaa.
Last updated: January 11, 2025 – 16:00
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