UK re-establishes diplomatic ties with Syria after 13 years, announces David Lammy

The Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, David Lammy , announced that the country is re-establishing diplomatic relations with Syria after the country’s years-long civil war. “There is renewed hope for the Syrian people,” Lammy said in a statement on Saturday. “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," he furthered.

The announcement came after the British foreign secretary paid a visit to Syria, meeting the country’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa. It is pertinent to note that this is the first time a British minister has visited the West Asian country in 14 years.

According to The Guardian, Lammy went to the country bearing gifts, one of them being a pledge of £94.5 million of urgent humanitarian aid. The UK minister noted that the aid would support the country’s long-term recovery and also help nations hosting Syrian refugees from around the world.

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The West changes its outlook towards Syria

Lammy’s announcement came at a time when the West is slowly resetting its approach towards Syria since insurgent forces led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted Bashar al-Assad as president in December. This also marked the end of the civil war after 13 long years.

Last month, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order terminating American sanctions on Syria, helping it to rebuild itself after the war. Meanwhile, in April, the UK also eased its sanctions on Damascus, unfreezing the assets of the Syrian central bank and 23 other entities. However, the UK still maintains sanctions on members of the former regime.

“A stable Syria will reduce the risk of irregular migration, ensure chemical weapons are destroyed, and tackle the threat of terrorism,” Lammy said after meeting his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, and the president, Ahmed al-Sharaa. At the meeting, Lammy emphasised the importance of an “inclusive and representative political transition” in Syria and offered Britain’s continued support, the statement said.

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According to The Guardian, the British foreign secretary will now travel to Kuwait, where discussing regional security and ways to strengthen bilateral relations will be at the top of the agenda. In addition to this, he is expected to announce a new partnership with the Gulf monarchy to tackle the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

With inputs from Reuters.