Syrian Foreign Minister urges lifting of US sanctions on visit to Doha

New government in Damascus is eager for investment from countries in the region

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani has said he will make official visits to countries in the region this week. Getty Images

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani urged the US to lift sanctions on Damascus during a trip to Qatar on Sunday, before visits other countries in the region, including Jordan.

The interim government in Syria is seeking investment and improved relations with the region as it embarks on rebuilding the country's economy and infrastructure, devastated by more than a decade of war.

“These sanctions constitute a barrier and an obstacle to the rapid recovery and development of the Syrian people who await services and partnerships from other countries,” Mr Al Shibani said after meeting Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, who also serves as Foreign Minister.

“We reiterate our calls for the United States to lift these sanctions, which have now become against the Syrian people rather than what they previously were: imposed sanctions on the Assad regime,” he said.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry said its country's leader met Mr Al Shibani in Doha as well as the Syrian Defence Minister, Murhaf Abu Qasra, and the new head of intelligence, Anas Khattab.

Sheikh Mohammed “reiterated the state of Qatar's position in support of Syria's unity, sovereignty and independence", a statement said.

Unlike other Arab countries, Qatar did not restore diplomatic ties with Syria under former president Bashar Al Assad, who was toppled by an 11-day rebel advance that swept through major cities and the capital Damascus in December.

Mr Al Shibani presented Qatar with a clear road map for the future in Syria and steps that would be taken by the interim government, Qatari Minister of State Mohammed Al Khulaifi said.

“We are working together to prevent any foreign interference in Syrian affairs,” Mr Al Khulaifi added.

Mr Al Shibani said the road map is meant to “rebuild our country, restore its Arab and foreign relations, enable the Syrian people to obtain their civil and basic rights and present a government that the Syrian people feel it represents them and all their components”.

On Friday, Mr Al Shibani said he would make official visits to the region this week, days after travelling to Saudi Arabia on his first trip since taking office.

“We look forward to these visits contributing to support stability, security, economic recovery, and building distinguished partnerships," he said on X.

Countries in the region and beyond have reached out to the new Syrian administration led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham chief Ahmad Al Shara since the rebel group, once affiliated with Al Qaeda, took power last month. Kuwait's Foreign Minister Abdullah Al Yahya and Jassim Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC, last week visited Damascus.

In a sign of western support, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and German Foreign Minister Anna Baerbock met Mr Al Shara in Damascus on Friday, but few details were made public.

Earlier, Mr Al Shibani led a high-ranking delegation to Riyadh, marking the first visit by Syria's new rulers since they ousted Mr Al Assad last month.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan assured Mr Al Shibani of the kingdom's support to ensure security and stability in Syria during their meeting, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said. Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said that he had discussed with Mr Al Shibani how best to support Syria's political transition.

Before the visit, Mr Al Shara told the Saudi-owned TV channel Al Arabiya that the kingdom “will certainly have a large role in Syria's future”, pointing to “a big investment opportunity for all neighbouring countries”.

Last week, during an extraordinary meeting for the ministers of foreign affairs of the GCC in Kuwait, the diplomats urged the lifting of international sanctions on Syria. The US, the EU, Canada and other countries have imposed severe sanctions against the Assad regime.

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he had discussed relations between Beirut and Damascus in a phone call with Mr Al Shara on Friday, and that he had received an invitation to visit Syria. Mr Al Shara also affirmed that authorities had taken measures to restore calm along the border, Mr Mikati added.

The Lebanese army said on X that its soldiers had clashed with armed Syrians at the border after the armed forces tried to “close an illegal crossing”. It said five soldiers were wounded.