France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and his German counterpart Anna Baerbock said they wanted to forge a new relationship with Syria, urging a peaceful transition as they met its de facto leader Ahmad Al Shara in Damascus on Friday on behalf of the EU.
Their visit is the most high-profile show of European support for the new Syrian administration since the overthrow of Bashar Al Assad's government last month. They met Mr Al Shara in the Damascus People's Palace, but few details of the talks were made public.
Ms Baerbock said she was travelling to Syria with an "outstretched hand" as well as "clear expectations" of the new rulers, who she said would be judged by their actions.
"We know where the HTS [Hayat Tahrir Al Sham] comes from ideologically, what it has done in the past," she said before the trip, adding that a new beginning to relations could only happen if there is no place for extremism and radical groups. "But we also hear and see the desire for moderation and for understanding with other important actors."
The goal now is for Syria to once again become a respected member of the international community, she said.
Delegations from the US, Europe, Gulf countries and neighbouring states have visited Syria since the overthrow of Mr Al Assad, who succeeded his father Hafez in 2003 and retained power during more than 13 years of civil war with the assistance of Iran and Russia. Mr Al Assad fled to Moscow as rebel groups led by HTS seized control of the capital on December 8.
HTS leader Mr Al Shara has promised to unite Syria under an inclusive administration. He has installed an interim government and initiated the integration of all armed groups, including his own, into a national army. He has said the process of drafting a new constitution and holding elections could take up to four years.
Syria was fragmented into areas controlled by Mr Al Assad's government and his allies, the HTS and other rebel groups based in the north-western province of Idlib, and Turkish-backed militias and a Syrian-Kurd led administration in northern areas along the border with Turkey. Preparations are being made for a National Dialogue Conference that is expected to involve representatives of different groups and governorates, although a date has not been confirmed.
The country's new administration faces the challenge of maintaining security in the face of attacks by forces linked to the Assad regime and his Alawite sect, and the threat of a resurgence of ISIS. The extremist group, which once controlled large areas of north, east and central Syria, has continued to carry out attacks since being defeated in 2019.
The interim government has also inherited an economy that has crumbled since the civil war began in 2011, impoverishing much of the population as the currency plummeted and trade was cut off by international sanctions on the Assad regime.
Ms Baerbock said her visit with Mr Barrot on behalf of the EU was a “clear signal” that “a political new beginning between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria is possible”.
“The painful chapter of Assad's rule is over. A new chapter has begun, but not yet written,” she said in a post on X.
Mr Barrot said on the social media platform: “Together, France and Germany stand by the Syrian people, in all its diversity. In Syria, we want to promote a peaceful and demanding transition that serves the Syrians and the regional stability.”
Mr Barrot also met representatives of Syrian civil society organisations in Damascus and expressed hope for a "sovereign and safe" Syria that would leave no room for terrorism, chemical weapons or malign foreign influences.
Germany and France plan to offer technical assistance and advice to Syria as the country drafts a new constitution, he told journalists, saying that hope for the country's democratic transition was "fragile but real".
He called for a political solution for Kurdish fighters in Syria to be integrated into the Syrian state, adding that a permanent ceasefire must be achieved, but he did not respond when asked when the EU could lift sanctions on Syria.
As part of their visit, the ministers also took a tour of Syria's most notorious prison, the vast Sednaya complex.
"Now it's up to the international community to help to bring justice to the people who have suffered here in this prison of hell," Ms Baerbock said.
On Thursday, Saudi Arabia's foreign and defence ministers assured newly appointed Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani of the kingdom's support during the first overseas visit by members of the interim government.
A delegation including Syrian Minister of Defence Murhaf Abu Qasra and the head of the General Intelligence Service, Anas Khattab, accompanied Mr Al Shibani to Riyadh.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and the Syrian delegation discussed “ways to support everything that contributes to achieving a prosperous future of security, stability, and prosperity for Syria and its people”, the Foreign Ministry said in a post on X.
“The discussions also focused on preserving Syrian state institutions, enhancing their capabilities, and restoring Syria to its rightful place in the Arab and Islamic worlds,” the ministry added.
Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said in a post on X that he had discussed with Mr Al Shibani how best to support Syria's political transition. The Syrian delegation left Saudi Arabia early on Friday, the official Saudi Press Agency said.
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
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LEAGUE CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
Stoke City v Tottenham
Brentford v Newcastle United
Arsenal v Manchester City
Everton v Manchester United
All ties are to be played the week commencing December 21.
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If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
