The UK has re-established diplomatic relations with Syria, marking a major shift in its foreign policy following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime eight months ago.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited Damascus on Saturday, becoming the first British minister to do so in 14 years. He met Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani to discuss regional security and Syria’s recovery.
“As the first UK minister to visit Syria since the fall of Assad’s brutal regime, I’ve seen firsthand the remarkable progress Syrians have made in rebuilding their lives and their country,” Lammy said in a statement.
He pledged support for Syria’s political and economic transition, saying that long-term stability in the region serves Britain’s national interest.
During his visit, Lammy met with White Helmets civil defence volunteers and women-led businesses supported by UK-funded recovery programmes. The UK has announced a £94.5 million assistance package, including humanitarian aid, education support, and help for countries hosting Syrian refugees.
Lammy also called on the Syrian government to fully dismantle the remnants of Assad’s chemical weapons programme and stressed the need for an inclusive political transition.
“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,” he added.
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Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are escalating, with Washington ordering a significant military build-up in the region and multiple countries evacuating diplomatic staff amid fears of further instability.
Two people were killed and around 40 injured when a tram derailed in central Milan on Friday (27 February), a spokesperson for the local fire service said.
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