DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — British Foreign Secretary David Lammy met in Damascus on Saturday with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, marking the restoration of relations after 14 years of tension during Syria’s conflict and Assad family rule.
Syria has been improving relations with Western countries following the fall of President Bashar Assad in December in an offensive led by al-Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Islamist group.
Al-Sharaa’s office said Lammy and the president discussed mutual relations and ways of boosting cooperation and the latest regional and international developments. Lammy later met his Syrian counterpart, Asaad al-Shibani, state media reported.
A statement issued by Britain’s foreign office said the visit showed London’s commitment to support Syria as the new government seeks to rebuild the country’s economy, deliver an inclusive political transition and forge a path to justice for the victims of the Assad government.
It added that there will be new U.K.