The overseas ministers of France and Germany are to satisfy Syria’s de facto chief, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Damascus within the highest-level go to by main western powers since rebels toppled the regime of President Bashar al-Assad final month.
Jean-Noël Barrot and Annalena Baerbock, who arrived individually within the Syrian capital on Friday, would maintain talks with the pinnacle of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on behalf of the EU, their ministries mentioned.
The diplomats visited Syria’s infamous Sednaya jail complicated within the morning and likewise deliberate to satisfy representatives of Syrian civil society, as western allies cautiously open channels with Syria’s new rulers after 13 years of civil battle.
Baerbock mentioned: “My journey at present – along with my French counterpart and on behalf of the EU – is a transparent sign to the Syrians: a brand new political starting between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria, is feasible.”
She mentioned in a ministry assertion that Germany needed to assist Syria turn out to be a “secure dwelling” for all its individuals and a “functioning state, with full management over its territory”, including that regardless of scepticism about HTS “we should not miss this chance to help the Syrian individuals”.
Baerbock requested the brand new rulers to keep away from any “acts of vengeance towards teams throughout the inhabitants”, to keep away from a protracted delay earlier than holding elections, and to avert makes an attempt to Islamise the judicial and schooling methods.
In a social media publish, Barrot mentioned the 2 EU heavyweights “stand collectively alongside the Syrian individuals in all their variety” and desire a “peaceable transition”. In Damascus, he expressed “fragile” hope for a “sovereign, steady and peaceable” Syria.
HTS, a Sunni Muslim group beforehand affiliated with al-Qaida and Islamic State, remains to be designated a terrorist organisation by quite a few nationwide governments however has assured the worldwide group it goals to control on behalf of all Syrians.
Having led the offensive that toppled the Assad household’s brutal, decades-long rule, the group’s senior figures, who dominate Syria’s interim authorities, face the duty of rebuilding the nation’s decimated state establishments.
Main questions stay about whether or not minority rights in Syria’s multi-ethnic society will probably be correctly assured, in addition to over persevering with overseas affect in a rustic the place states together with Turkey and Russia have robust and competing pursuits.
French diplomatic sources mentioned Barrot visited the French embassy, which has been closed since 2012. He met the Syrian workers who maintained the services and reaffirmed the necessity to work in direction of re-establishing diplomatic illustration.
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Baerbock mentioned she was travelling to Syria with an “outstretched hand” in addition to “clear expectations” of the brand new rulers, who she mentioned can be judged by their actions. “We all know the place the HTS comes from ideologically, what it has completed up to now,” she mentioned. “However we additionally hear and see the need for moderation and for understanding.”
Western allies had been dedicated to making sure Syria’s inner affairs weren’t disrupted by exterior influences, she mentioned, and referred to as on Russia to go away its army bases in Syria.
Sednaya jail, not removed from the capital, was the location of extrajudicial killings, torture and compelled disappearances, and epitomises the atrocities dedicated by the Assad regime towards its opponents.
Reuters and Agence-France Presse contributed to this report
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