British Foreign Minister David Lammy visited Syria on Saturday and held an official meeting with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, according to Reuters.
The visit marked the reestablishment of full diplomatic relations between both countries after the country’s years-long civil war.
“The UK is reestablishing diplomatic relations because it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians,” Lammy said in a statement.
Lifting Sanctions
Lammy’s visit comes after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order terminating a US sanctions program on Syria. This move played a crucial role in rebuilding the country and ending its isolation from the international financial system.
In this context, Lammy noted that Britain would leverage firm Syria’s stability by “reducing the risk of irregular migration, ensuring the destruction of chemical weapons” and “tackling the threat of terrorism”.
Moreover, he added that the fall of Assad’s regime represented an opportunity to “fully declare and destroy Assad’s evil chemical weapons programme.”
In April, The British government has lifted sanctions on Syria’s interior and defense ministries marking the latest easing of sanctions following Assad’s fall from power.
Syria’s General Intelligence Directorate, Air Force Intelligence Agency and National Security Bureau were also emitted from the list of entities subject to financial sanctions by the U.K, according to Reuters.
Such sanctions were primarily due to the repression of civilian population or “supporting or benefiting from the Syrian regime.”
Financial Support
Britain’s Foreign Office stressed London’s commitment of providing an extra $129 million to for “urgent humanitarian aid” and supporting Syria’s reconstruction as well as countries hosting Syrian refugees.
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