UK re-establishes diplomatic relations with Syria as Lammy visits
The Foreign Secretary has visited Damascus, the first visit to the country by a UK minister for 14 years, and met with President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani.
The Assad regime collapsed in December last year after rebels led by proscribed group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) stormed the capital Damascus, forcing the then-president to flee after 24 years in charge.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has also announced £94.5 million for humanitarian aid for Syrians.
Mr Lammy said: 'As the first UK Minister to visit Syria since the fall of Assad's brutal regime, I've seen first-hand the remarkable progress Syrians have made in rebuilding their lives and their country.
Today in Damascus I met with President Al-Sharaa and FM @AsaadHShaibani. I welcomed progress made and stressed the need for an inclusive and representative political transition.
The UK stands ready to support the new Syrian Government. pic.twitter.com/uKGDwIcJdT
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) July 5, 2025
'After over a decade of conflict, there is renewed hope for the Syrian people.
'The UK is re-establishing diplomatic relations because it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians.
'A stable Syria is in the UK's interests, reducing the risk of irregular migration, ensuring the destruction of chemical weapons, tackling the threat of terrorism and delivering the Government's plan for change.'
In April, the UK lifted a raft of sanctions against Syria that had been imposed under the Assad regime, including those on the interior and defence ministries.
The Syrian president's office said on Saturday said that the president and Mr Lammy discussed co-operation, as well as the latest developments in the Middle East.
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The Guardian
14 hours ago
- The Guardian
Britain re-establishing relations with Syria, announces David Lammy
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Sky News
17 hours ago
- Sky News
UK restores diplomatic ties with Syria
The UK has re-established diplomatic ties with Syria, David Lammy has said, as he made the first visit to the country by a British minister for 14 years. The foreign secretary visited Damascus and met with interim president Ahmed al Sharaa, also the leader of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), and foreign minister Asaad al Shaibani. It marks the latest diplomatic move since Bashar al Assad's regime was toppled by rebel groups led by HTS in December. In a statement, Mr Lammy said a "stable Syria is in the UK's interests" and added: "I've seen first-hand the remarkable progress Syrians have made in rebuilding their lives and their country. "After over a decade of conflict, there is renewed hope for the Syrian people. "The UK is re-establishing diplomatic relations because it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians." The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has also announced a £94.5m support package for urgent humanitarian aid and to support the country's long-term recovery, after a number of British sanctions against the country were lifted in April. While HTS is still classified as a proscribed terror group, Sir Keir Starmer said last year that it could be removed from the list. The Syrian president's office also said on Saturday that the president and Mr Lammy discussed co-operation, as well as the latest developments in the Middle East. Since Assad fled Syria in December, a transitional government headed by Mr al Sharaa was announced in March and a number of western countries have restored ties. In May, US President Donald Trump said the United States would lift long-standing sanctions on Syria and normalise relations during a speech at the US-Saudi investment conference. 1:12 He said he wanted to give the country "a chance at peace" and added: "There is a new government that will hopefully succeed.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
David Lammy to pledge £94.5 million aid package in support of Syria's new government in first trip by UK minister for 14 years
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