Syria's foreign minister Asaad al-Shibani is set to attend a donor summit for his country in Brussels on March 17, a European official told Reuters on Wednesday, the first time Syria will be formally represented at the yearly conference.
The official said that Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa was not expected to be at the donor meeting, after a Syrian source and two diplomats had told Reuters he was expected there.
The yearly conference, hosted by the European Union, aims to "mobilise international support for an inclusive, peaceful transition" and will be the first time it is held following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad from power in December.
In the past, representatives of Syrian civil society were invited to take part in the summit - but the Syrian state was not.
Read next
09:26
Tensions rise along the Lebanon-Syria border after the abduction and killing of Syrian security forces. Syria accuses Hezbollah of orchestrating the attack, while the group denies involvement. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation are underway.
03:36
International donors at a European Union-led conference in Brussels pledged €5.8 billion ($6.3 billion) on Monday to support Syria’s new authorities, who are grappling with humanitarian and security crises following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
08:03
The interim government in Damascus will attend an international conference on Monday in Brussels to seek aid pledges for Syria, which continues to face significant humanitarian challenges and an uncertain political future following the departure of Bashar al-Assad.
03:51
Crowds in Aleppo and Damascus celebrated 14 years since the Syrian uprising that ousted Bashar al-Assad.
13:50
EU-SYRIA
The European Union will convene its 9th international Conference in support of Syria on 17 March, in Brussels. For the first time, Syrian interim authorities have been invited, together with representatives of the United Nations, Syria's neighbouring states and other regional partners.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment