Syria aims to play a role in “regional peace,” as declared by the country’s new authorities following a meeting between leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and a US diplomatic delegation.
The statement noted, “The Syrian side emphasized that the Syrian people maintain an impartial stance toward all countries and factions in the region, firmly rejecting any form of polarization.”
Furthermore, the new authorities expressed a desire to “reaffirm Syria’s involvement in fostering regional peace and developing preferential strategic partnerships with neighboring countries.”
A Syrian official previously informed AFP that the encounter between Mr. al-Sharaa, who was formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, and the US delegation headed by Barbara Leaf, the State Department’s Middle East chief, was deemed “positive.”
Recently, emissaries from France, Germany, the UK, and the United Nations have also traveled to Damascus.
However, following their initial formal engagement in Damascus, the United States announced the removal of a bounty placed on his capture.
“Based on our discussion, I informed him that we were rescinding the offer of a reward,” Ms. Leaf told reporters.
She stressed to the new Syrian leader the “urgent necessity to ensure that terrorist organizations do not threaten stability within Syria or beyond, including against the United States and our regional partners.”
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He “committed to taking action,” she stated, indicating that he came across as “pragmatic.”
HTS, which leads the successful coalition of armed factions in Syria, asserts that it has distanced itself from jihadism and aims to reassure the public of its capability to rebuild the nation after nearly 14 years of civil conflict.
In recent days, emissaries from France, Germany, the UK, and the United Nations have also reached out to Damascus to engage with the new leadership.
The West remains concerned about the potential fragmentation of the country and the threat posed by the resurgence of the jihadist group Islamic State, which has not been completely eliminated in the region.
