damascus

EU to Agree Easing Syria Sanctions

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she expected the bloc to agree Monday to begin easing sanctions on Syria after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. "It is a step for step approach," Kallas said at the start of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels to discuss the move. Europe is keen to help the reconstruction of the war-ravaged ...

The Turkish Wolf Expands Its Regional Dominance

Power, capability and determination. These are the words that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan used on Friday, January 10, as he once again warned the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)—a Kurdish-led coalition supported by the West—of military action if they did not hand over their weapons to the new regime in Damascus. Only a month earlier, ...

In Syria, EU official announces 235 million euro aid package

EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib announced a 235 million euro aid package for Syria and neighbouring countries on Friday during the first visit by a senior EU official since Bashar al-Assad's ouster. "I come here to announce to a new package of humanitarian aid of 235 million euros ($242 million) in Syria and in neighbouring countries," ...

UN Rights Chief Says Transitional Justice 'Crucial' in Syria

United Nations rights chief Volker Turk on Wednesday said transitional justice was "crucial" for Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, during the first-ever visit by someone in his post to the country. "Transitional justice is crucial as Syria moves forward," the UN high commissioner for human rights said. "Revenge ...

Saudi Arabia Calls for Sanctions Relief on Syria After Diplomatic Talks

Saudi Arabia on Sunday called for the lifting of sanctions on Syria after meetings with top diplomats from the Middle East and Europe that focused on the war-ravaged country's future. The Gulf kingdom, the region's biggest economy, is seeking to increase its influence in Syria after Islamist-led rebels toppled longtime ruler Bashar ...

Mikati Underlines Urgency of Resolving Syrian Presence in Lebanon in Damascus Talks

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati stressed the urgent need to deal rapidly with the issue of displaced Syrians, who are massively present in Lebanon, and called for the demarcation of borders between Lebanon and Syria. Mikati's remarks came after a meeting with Syria's new leader, Ahmad al-Shareh, in Damascus, where he headed an official ...

Syrian Authorities Foil ISIS Attack on a Shiite Mausoleum

Syrian authorities foiled an attempt by Islamic State group jihadists to blow up a revered Shiite shrine in a Damascus suburb, a source within Syria's intelligence agency told state news agency SANA Saturday. Intelligence and security forces "succeeded in thwarting an attempt by IS to carry out a bombing inside the Sayyida Zaynab shrine", the ...

Eight Tons of Smuggled Potato Seized in Akkar

A State Security patrol from Halba’s bureau, North Lebanon, seized eight tons of potatoes smuggled into the country from Syria.  The potatoes were sold in the vegetable market of Kobbet Bshamra, Akkar. In a statement, State Security emphasized that the seizure was a component of the security services’ anti-smuggling campaign and stated ...

Italian Foreign Minister Meets Syria’s New Leader in Damascus

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani met Syria's new ruler Ahmad al-Shareh in Damascus Friday, state media said, in the latest such visit from a European diplomat since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. State news agency SANA did not give further details about Tajani and Shareh's discussions, just over a month after Islamist-led rebels seized ...

Qatar in Talks to Fund Syria Public Wage Hikes

Qatar is weighing a plan to provide Syria's new rulers with funds to increase public sector salaries, a diplomatic source said Thursday, as the interim government in Damascus seeks to rebuild state institutions. "Discussions are taking place, but an agreement is yet to be concluded," the source told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity because ...