Syria’s ruler Ahmad Al Shara has demanded at a meeting in Damascus that Russia hand over former president Bashar Al Assad and an estimated $2 billion in liquid assets held by the exiled dictator's family in Russian banks, sources told The National.
The meeting with a Russian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov also focused on other thorny issues but reached no agreement beyond maintaining contact, the sources said.
“Handing over Assad and all senior officers who escaped to Russia was the top of the list," said a member of the new political staff at Syria's former presidential palace in the capital, where the meeting took place. It was the first high-level, face-to-face contact since the fall of the Assad regime and Mr Al Assad fled to Moscow on December 8.
The nature of relations with Moscow could affect the power consolidation set under way by Mr Al Shara's Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS). The rebel group led the overthrow of the Assad regime and is striving to build international ties to legitimise its rule. It also wants financial flows for recovery from Syria's civil war.
Mr Al Shara demanded repatriation of an estimated $2 billion in liquid assets held by the Al Assad family in Russian banks, the source said. Mr Bogdanov did not reply but “reserved the right to respond” to the two demands.
Russia's intervention in the Syrian civil war saved Mr Al Assad from defeat in 2015. However, by the time HTS-led troops swept through northern Syria towards Damascus last month, a similar rescue had become impossible, or too costly. Now Russia's two military bases on the Syrian coast, its main warm-water outposts, are in a country where President Vladimir Putin's government no longer holds sway.
Another Syrian source briefed on the meeting said Mr Al Shara had made it clear that Russia “bears the main responsibility for the tragedies that have befallen the Syrian people” since a 2011 pro-democracy revolt.
Surrendering Mr Al Assad “would go a long way towards building up ties” with the new order in Damascus, the Russian delegation was told, the source said.
HTS troops have launched a military campaign to subdue members of the former regime. In the east, Turkish-backed militias allied with HTS mounted an offensive against a Kurdish-led militia that controls Syria's north-east soon after Mr Al Assad fled to Moscow.
Mr Bogdanov “did not admit any of Russia's past mistakes”, but Mr Al Shara made it clear there will not be any immediate moves against Russian military interests, the sources said.
Russian news agency Tass reported that the two sides had agreed to continue discussions on how to maintain the Russian bases. “We expressed hope that this policy will continue and that our interests in Syria will not be affected,” it quoted Mr Bogdanov as saying.
Video: Syrians despair at the loss of their ancient heritage
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
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Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com
GAC GS8 Specs
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Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
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RESULTS FOR STAGE 4
Stage 4 Dubai to Hatta, 197 km, Road race.
Overall leader Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal) 2. Matteo Moschetti ITA (Trek - Segafredo) 3. Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Five expert hiking tips
- Always check the weather forecast before setting off
- Make sure you have plenty of water
- Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
- Take your litter home with you
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
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Types of policy
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Results:
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 2,000m - Winner: Powderhouse, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap Dh165,000 2,200m - Winner: Heraldic, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Conditions Dh240,000 1,600m - Winner: Walking Thunder, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
8.15pm: Handicap Dh190,000 2,000m - Winner: Key Bid, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
8.50pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 1,200m - Winner: Drafted, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
9.25pm: Handicap Dh170,000 1,600m - Winner: Cachao, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Handicap Dh190,000 1,400m - Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley, Ahmed bin Harmash
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
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A Long Way Home by Peter Carey
Faber & Faber
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery