Top European diplomats were urged by Saudi Arabia to lift sanctions against Syria to aid in the country’s rebuilding efforts after the recent overthrow of President Bashar Assad. The U.S. and European countries have expressed concerns about the Islamist backgrounds of Syria’s new leaders and have linked the lifting of sanctions to the progress of the political transition in the country.
The interim government in Syria, led by former rebels, has promised to establish a pluralistic and open system as the country emerges from a devastating civil war that lasted nearly 14 years. The new Syrian foreign minister attended the gathering in Saudi Arabia where German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for a “smart approach” to sanctions that would provide rapid relief to the Syrian population.
Sanctions were initially imposed in response to Assad’s brutal crackdown on the 2011 uprising and have been tightened as the conflict escalated into a full-blown war. The Saudi Foreign Minister urged the lifting of international sanctions on Syria to enable development and reconstruction in the country. The EU emphasized the importance of inclusivity in the new Syrian government, including representation from all religious and ethnic communities.
Turkey, a longtime supporter of the Syrian opposition, pledged to help Syria normalize ties with the international community and combat threats from groups like the Islamic State. The United States recently eased some restrictions on Syria, including authorizing certain transactions with the Syrian government and dropping a bounty on rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa.
With Assad no longer in power, Syria’s new authorities are hopeful that the international community will provide financial support to rebuild the country’s infrastructure and revive its struggling economy.
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