Riyadh (TDI): Saudi Arabia on Sunday called for the lifting of sanctions on Syria after meetings with key diplomats from the Middle East and Europe that focused on the war-hit country’s future.
Saudi Arabia, the region’s biggest economy, is seeking to increase its influence in Syria after Islamist-led rebels toppled Bashar al-Assad regime in December, analysts say.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said after Sunday’s talks concluded in Riyadh, “We emphasized the significance of lifting unilateral and global sanctions imposed on Syria, as their continuation hinders the aspirations of Syrians to achieve development and reconstruction.”
The agenda included a meeting of Arab officials as well as a broader moot that also included Turkiye, France, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations.
Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the main rebel group in the alliance that toppled Assad, is pushing for sanctions relief.
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At the negotiations his administration was represented by foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani.
The US Treasury Department earlier stated it would ease the enforcement of sanctions affecting essential services such as energy and sanitation.
But authorities in Washington said they would wait to “see progress” before any wider easing of restrictions.
Sanctions on Syria
Western powers, including the US and the EU, imposed heavy restrictions on Assad’s government over crackdown on anti-government protests in 2011.
However, some US restrictions long pre-date the unrest, with Washington labelling Syria as “state sponsor of terrorism”, years after Israel illegally occupied Golan Heights.
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EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas stated the 27-nation bloc could start lifting restrictions if Syria’s new rulers took measures to form an inclusive government that protected minorities.
European foreign ministers are due to meet on January 27 to discuss the issue, he told journalists in Riyadh.
