US President Donald Trump is to meet Syrian counterpart Ahmad Al Shara as hopes rise of an imminent Washington-brokered security deal between the new Syrian authorities and Israel.
The two leaders will hold "an official meeting soon", after Mr Trump met Mr Al Shara briefly in New York this week, Syrian Foreign Ministry official Qutaiba Idlibi said. They discussed bilateral ties and Mr Shara was introduced to Melania Trump, the US President's wife, Mr Idlibi told Al Araby TV channel. The official Syrian news agency Sana said the meeting took place at a reception hosted by Mr Trump.
The anticipated deal would be the most important diplomatic development in Syria since the downfall of former president Bashar Al Assad, who had abided by a 1974 armistice with Israel.
A Syrian source said Mr Al Shara had travelled to New York "knowing that he has no choice" but to proceed with the security deal, given the need for US support for reconstruction funding and full removal of American sanctions.
"The Americans didn't give Al Shara a visa just to address the UN," the source said. "Trump would not meet him officially again if there is no security deal."
Israel's intervention in July prevented an armed government takeover of the mostly Druze-populated Sweida province in southern Syria to subdue its defiant spiritual leader. In the past two years, Israel has struck hundreds of Syrian military targets, belonging to the old regime, which was an ally of Iran, and the new authorities, dominated by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, a splinter group of Al Qaeda.
Mr Al Shara is participating in the UN General Assembly this week, maintaining his visibility on the world stage, which was boosted by his first meeting with Mr Trump, in Riyadh in May. It started a process of establishing diplomatic relations aimed at bringing Syria into a US anti-terrorism alliance and convincing Mr Al Shara to sign the Abraham Accords.
Syria's President has been forging ties with countries in the region, Europe and even with his old foes Iraq, Russia and China.
The US push was stepped up after the Israeli attacks to defend the Druze of Sweida killed scores of Syrian government troops and allied militia members. One of the Israeli targets was the Syrian army headquarters in central Damascus, which drew loud protests from Turkey, the main backer of the current Syrian government.
Addressing the Concordia summit in New York this week, Mr Al Shara said he hopes that recent Israeli-Syrian talks "will lead us to an agreement that will keep the sovereignty of Syria and also resolve some of the security fears of Israel".
Israel has occupied the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967. Its attacks on Hezbollah and other pro-Iranian militia in Syria in the last two years of the previous regime weakened Mr Al Assad considerably and contributed to the swift advance into Damascus by Mr Al Shara and his rebel group at the end of last year.
The US welcomed the collapse of the Assad regime and sent senior diplomats to meet Mr Al Shara less than two weeks after he toppled the former dictator.
Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
Grand Slam Los Angeles results
Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos
Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha
The biog
Born: High Wycombe, England
Favourite vehicle: One with solid axels
Favourite camping spot: Anywhere I can get to.
Favourite road trip: My first trip to Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan. The desert they have over there is different and the language made it a bit more challenging.
Favourite spot in the UAE: Al Dhafra. It’s unique, natural, inaccessible, unspoilt.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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HIV on the rise in the region
A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.
New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.
Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.
Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.
Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
MORE ON THE US DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
'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
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
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
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
