Matthew Dannoun

Syria and Japan announced on Tuesday the resumption of relation, marking the start of a new chapter in bilateral cooperation. The announcement followed an official meeting in Damascus between Mohammad Zakaria Lababidi, Director of the Department of Afro-Asian and Oceania Affairs, and Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Onishi, along with senior officials from both sides. The visit represents the highest-level Japanese diplomatic trip to Syria in more than 15 years. During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to expand bilateral ties and resume cooperation across multiple sectors. Onishi extended an official invitation to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani to visit Japan. Lababidi expressed Syria’s interest in benefiting from Japan’s experience in reconstruction and development, while the Japanese delegation pledged new support for Syria’s rebuilding efforts and reaffirmed Japan’s support for Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity. The of...

A Syrian delegation, including Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, Defense Minister Major General Murhaf Abu Qasra, and officials from the General Intelligence Directorate, arrived in Moscow on Tuesday. The Foreign Ministry said the delegation will hold talks with Russian officials on bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest. Source: SANA 

U.S. President Donald Trump described the developments in Syria this year as “remarkable,” highlighting that the United States is committed to ensuring lasting peace in the Middle East, with Syria playing an essential role in that peace. In a press conference on Monday, the White House quoted Trump via his official account on the “X” platform, stating: “Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is a strong man, and that is exactly what the country needs in such a difficult region. What has happened in Syria this year is incredible. We got rid of Assad and eliminated others who were deeply problematic and hindering peace in the Middle East. And as you know, we now have true peace in the Middle East.” When asked about the continued presence of U.S. troops in Syria, Trump explained, “Because we are working hard to ensure lasting peace in the Middle East and Syria is a crucial part of that peace.” Regarding the recent ISIS attack targeting Syrian security forces and U.S. troops near Palmyra, which ...

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani welcomed on Monday a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Sweden, headed by Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa, and Minister for Migration Johan Forssell, for wide-ranging discussions on bilateral cooperation. The meeting covered an expanded agenda of issues of mutual interest, with both sides reviewing current bilateral files and exploring mechanisms to strengthen cooperation across economic, diplomatic, and humanitarian fields. According to the Foreign Ministry, the talks included the proposal to establish a Syrian–Swedish Business Council, aimed at boosting economic partnership, facilitating trade, and encouraging Swedish investments in Syria as part of the broader efforts to support economic recovery. Discussions also addressed pending matters related to refugees and expatriates, with both sides underscoring the importance of constructive dialogue to resolve ex...

The Syrian Civil Aviation Authority has finalized contracts for the development, expansion, and operation of Damascus International Airport, partnering with an international consortium led by Urbacon Holding, along with Turkish companies Cengiz and Kalyon, and the American firm Assets. Once completed, the expanded airport will serve as a critical hub connecting Syria to the global aviation network. Under the $ 4 billion agreement, the airport’s capacity is expected to increase to 6 million passengers annually by the end of 2026, following upgrades to Terminals 1 and 2. Additionally, a new terminal (Terminal 3) will be constructed in three consecutive phases. The first phase will add 10 million passengers annually, bringing the total capacity to 16 million over three years. In the second and third phases, two further expansions of 7.5 million passengers each will be implemented, raising the airport’s final capacity to 31 million passengers annually upon project completion. Officials exp...

Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ibrahim Olabi, said on Wednesday that Syria has been a nation whose cities were systematically destroyed by a regime that committed heinous massacres and turned the country into a battleground for international rivalries through incitement and terrorism. “The Syrians walked over the roofs of prisons, and for many young people, their only dream was to flee the country,” Olabi said at a Security Council session. He emphasized that the regime’s destructive influence extended beyond Syria’s borders, destabilizing the region and undermining global peace. The Syrian diplomat added that the deposed regime turned Syria’s border crossings into conduits for regional harm and economic sabotage. “Despite widespread displacement, Syrians have continued to mobilize international support for their country across legal, humanitarian and political fronts,” Olabi said. He criticized Israel’s ongoing interference in Syria’s domestic affairs, asserting that Syri...

President Ahmad al-Sharaa met Tuesday with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, on the sidelines of the official visit to the United States of America. Credit: SANA- Syrian Arab News Agency 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates announced that President Ahmad al-Sharaa paid an official visit to the White House, marking a historic first of its kind. President al-Sharaa was accompanied by Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al Shaibani. President Donald Trump received him in a landmark meeting that lasted more than an hour, characterized by cordial and constructive atmospheres. The ministry added in its statement Monday that President Trump expressed admiration for Syria’s new leadership and for the Syrian people. He praised Syria’s successful management of the previous phase and the achievements in liberation and restoring stability across the country. Trump also affirmed the United States’ readiness to provide the necessary support for Syria’s leadership to ensure the success of reconstruction and development in the coming stage. The ministry noted that, under President Trump’s directives, an expanded working meeting was held. It brought together Syrian Foreign Ministe...

President Ahmad Al-Sharaa arrived at the White House Monday on an official visit to the United States of America, where he was received by U.S. President Donald Trump. The two presidents held a session of talks that addressed bilateral relations between the Syrian Arab Republic and the United States, and means of enhancing and developing them, in addition to a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest. Syrian Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, and U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, attended the meeting. Credit : SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency 

Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), stated on Monday that the IMF is ready to support Syria’s economic recovery. In a post on X, Georgieva said, “It was a privilege to welcome President Ahmad al-Sharaa to the IMF. We discussed the economic transformation Syrians need and deserve.” She praised the Syrian government’s efforts to make the transformation possible, expressing the IMF’s readiness to assist, including through existing technical support for key institutions. During President al-Sharaa’s visit to Washington, he met with Georgieva at the IMF headquarters in Washington on Sunday. They discussed opportunities for cooperation in developing Syria’s economy. The first mission from the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD) traveled to Damascus in late October for a five-day visit to discuss technical assistance in preparing the national budget and improving government financial management. This trip followed Syria’s participation in the IM...

A delegation from Syria’s Ministry of Interior participated in an international conference focused on combating cybercrime, held in Nevşehir, Turkey. Organized by the International Association of Police Academies (INTERPA), the event is titled “Advanced Strategies in Combating Cybercrime.” At the conference held from 06-08 November, the Syrian delegation, took part in discussions on the latest techniques and technologies for fighting cybercrime. The conference also provided a platform for strengthening international cooperation and knowledge-sharing. In addition to the conference sessions, the Syrian officials held a series of bilateral meetings, including one with the president of INTERPA to discuss future collaboration and the potential membership of Syria’s Rehabilitation and Training Department in the association. The Ministry of Interior stated that the participation is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the capabilities of its personnel and stay ahead of technological development...

Jordan on Friday welcomed a U.N. Security Council resolution lifting the names of President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab from the international sanctions list, calling it a sign of growing international support for Syria’s sovereignty and stability. In a statement posted on X, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Fouad al-Majali said the resolution “affirms full respect for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national unity of the Syrian Arab Republic,” adding that it reflects “the will of the international community” to support Syria. Al-Majali reiterated Jordan’s support for Syria’s reconstruction and recovery efforts, stressing that such initiatives must uphold the country’s unity and sovereignty while ensuring the safety of its territory and people. The U.N. Security Council late Thursday adopted the U.S.-drafted resolution with 14 votes in favor and one abstention from China. Turkey on Friday welcomed a U.N. Security Council resolution lifting ...

President Ahmad al-Sharaa  said Syria is working to rebuild relations with countries around the world, highlighting that the lifting of sanctions and support for its return to the international stage benefit all. “A new chapter in the region’s history began with the birth of a new Syria,” the President said. In an interview with Al-Sharq TV on the sidelines of the  COP30 Climate Summit,  President al-Sharaa said, “Syria has historically carried great weight in the region and was never on the margins. But the former regime deprived both Syria of the world and the world of Syria over the past 60 years.” He added that over the past 10 months, “a new history for the region has begun with the birth of a new Syria.” U.S. Relations: “Action First” On ties with Washington, President al-Sharaa said his approach is to “start with action first,” noting that the previous regime “did nothing” to advance relations. “Syria’s position is sensitive, and it has begun to reclaim its regiona...

The United Kingdom announced Friday the removal of President Ahmad Sharaa from its sanctions list. The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) under the UK Treasury stated in a press release published on the British government’s official website that the Foreign Office had updated the sanctions list, which includes financial measures such as freezing the assets or economic resources of individuals sanctioned by the United Nations. The office clarified that the names of President Ahmad Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab were removed from the consolidated list, and thus are no longer subject to asset freezes. The UN Security Council’s decision to lift the names of President Shar’a and Minister Khattab will be reflected in future measures taken by the bloc, Reuters quoted a spokesperson for the European Union as saying. Yesterday, the UN Security Council voted in favor of a resolution submitted by the United States to remove President Ahmad Sharaa from the international...

The  U.S. Department of the Treasury  announced Friday the removal of  President Ahmad al-Sharaa ’s name from its previously issued sanctions list. The department stated on its official website that it has removed the names of President al-Sharaa and Syrian Anas KhattabInterior Minister  Anas Khattab  from the list of individuals and entities sanctioned by its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The Treasury’s decision came less than 24 hours after a similar move by the UN Security Council, which also removed the names of President al-Sharaa and Minister Khattab from the international sanctions list. The decision was widely welcomed across the Arab world and internationally. Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates affirmed that the move reflects a unified international stance in support of Syria’s stability, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence. Credit: SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency