Belgium sends envoy to Damascus to engage with new Syrian leadership
Belgium is sending an envoy to Damascus following the recent fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria. This decision, confirmed by Foreign minister Bernard Quintin, aligns with growing international efforts to engage with the new Syrian leadership led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group previously linked to al-Qaeda but now signalling a more moderate stance.
“We are sending an envoy to Damascus to talk to the new leaders of Syria,” Quintin said. “The intention is for our diplomat to hold talks about the future of Syria. We must convey our messages and make our expectations for the reconstruction of the country clear.”
This message means that the transition in Syria must be peaceful and inclusive. Quintin previously said that the new regime must respect human rights and international law, protect all minorities and show respect for women. “The new leaders must show us, and the rest of the world, through their actions - not just their words - that they are committed to these principles,” he said.
"In the long term, a safe and stable Syria is in everyone’s best interest"
Quintin underlined Belgium’s broader goal of fostering a stable Syria, not only for its people but also as a pathway for Syrian refugees in Europe and Belgium to eventually return home. “In the long term, a safe and stable Syria is in everyone’s best interest,” he said.
Other international players are also stepping up their engagement. On Friday, three US diplomats arrived in Damascus, marking the first contact between Washington and Syrian authorities since the civil war began 13 years ago.
Their meetings include discussions with HTS representatives on transitional principles agreed at a recent summit in Aqaba, Jordan, and talks with Syrian civil society to explore how the US can support their vision for Syria’s future.
Syrians attend a gathering to call for democracy and women's rights in Damascus' Umayyad Square, 19 December 2024 © PHOTO LOUAI BESHARA / AFP
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