Live updates: Follow the latest on Syria
Leaders of the G7 countries on Thursday offered to work with a new government in Syria if it rules on a “credible, inclusive, and nonsectarian” basis and respects women, minorities and human rights.
A joint statement by the US, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan offered support to a “Syrian-led and Syrian-owned” process to install a new government after the fall of Assad's regime to rebel forces. Militant group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, designated as a terrorist organisation by the US in 2014, has put an interim administration in place until March.
The G7 hopes that anyone “seeking a role in governing Syria” will show they are committed to the rights of all Syrians and ensure the state does not collapse, the leaders said. It is also hoped they will rebuild the country and create “conditions for safe and dignified voluntary return to Syria” by refugees.
A transfer of power should lead to “credible, inclusive, and nonsectarian governance” that ensures respect for the rule of law, women's rights and religious and ethnic minorities, they said. “The G7 will work with and fully support a future Syrian government that abides by those standards and results from that process.”
Syria's relations with the West stalled during its civil war, although Italy appointed an ambassador in July as the EU inched towards the restoration of ties. On Thursday, the G7 said the Assad regime should be “held accountable for its crimes”.
The US and allies told Afghanistan's Taliban rulers after their 2021 capture of Kabul that “any engagement” would depend on their human rights and counter-terrorism record. More than three years after the statement, no western country has recognised the Taliban.
“After decades of atrocities committed by the Assad regime, we stand with the people of Syria. We denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms,” the G7 statement said. It added Syria's territorial integrity and national unity should be upheld, after years of different groups controlling parts of the country.
Hayat Tahrir, a former affiliate of Al Qaeda is currently listed as a terrorist group by the US, UK and EU, who are considering their approach to dealing with the group. Washington said there was no legal barrier to merely communicating with the militants.
Syrians in Europe celebrate fall of Al Assad – in pictures
European countries hosting Syrian refugees have also paused new asylum claims as they consider whether the country can now be declared “safe”. Any move to return failed asylum seekers to Syria would probably require some degree of co-operation with the government in Damascus.
“We need to wait a few more days to see where Syria is heading now,” German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said. “What is the situation? What about the protection of minorities? What about the protection of the people? And then, of course, there could be repatriation.”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the German leader spoke to Jordan's King Abdullah II on Thursday and agreed on supporting a political process. Both said protecting religious and ethnic minorities was of “high importance”, according to a German statement.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Four tips to secure IoT networks
Mohammed Abukhater, vice president at FireEye in the Middle East, said:
- Keep device software up-to-date. Most come with basic operating system, so users should ensure that they always have the latest version
- Besides a strong password, use two-step authentication. There should be a second log-in step like adding a code sent to your mobile number
- Usually smart devices come with many unnecessary features. Users should lock those features that are not required or used frequently
- Always create a different guest network for visitors
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
More on animal trafficking
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
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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COMPANY PROFILE
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Year started: 2018
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