Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani speaks at a session during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2025 (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP)


UPDATES: 1st Trip to Turkey for “New Syria” Officials


UPDATE, JAN 25:

On his first visit to Syria’s new Government, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan has called for the lifting of international sanctions.

The Foreign Minister was welcomed in Damascus by Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

During a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani, bin Farhan said Saudi Arabia was standing by Syria, pointing to “the importance of accelerating the lifting and freezing of all sanctions” that had been imposed on the Assad regime.

He added that Riyadh is engaged in “active dialogue with all relevant countries, whether the United States or the European Union, and we are hearing positive messages”.

The outgoing Biden Administration issued sanctions waivers for humanitarian aid and recovery. The European Union is expected to confirms its waivers in a foreign ministers’ meeting on Monday.

Both the US and the EU have said the full removal of sanctions is dependent on guarantees of inclusion of women and minorities, including in the government, in the “new Syria”.

Al-Shaibani said on Friday that the lifting of sanctions will allow for “the opening of new channels for investment and trade”, as well as rebuilding infrastructure and creating jobs.


UPDATE, JAN 24:

Syria’s Central Bank has ordered commercial institutions to “freeze all bank accounts of companies and individuals linked to the defunct [Assad] regime”.

Thursday’s circular says the Central Bank should be given the details of all frozen accounts within three working days.

The order specifically cites accounts belonging to the Katerji Group, involved in the Syrian oil trade.

Baraa Katerji was killed in a suspected Israeli strike in Syria near the Lebanese border in July. Hussam Katerji and his businesses are under U.S. sanctions, including for “facilitating petroleum shipments and financing to the Syrian Regime”.

One banker said the directive cannot be implemented easily, as many regime-linked businessmen set up accounts in the names of other people or used front companies.


ORIGINAL ENTRY, JAN 23: Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, “We need the help of the international community to help us in this new experiment”, after last month’s liberation from the Assad regime.

Al-Shaibani said the “new Syria” hopes to follow in the footsteps of economic powers like Singapore and Saudi Arabia.

Interviewed by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, al-Shaibani emphasized, “The big challenge is economic sanctions. We inherited a lot of problems from the Assad regime…but removing economic sanctions is key for the stability of Syria.”

Addressing concerns about representation and rights of minorities, the Foreign Minister said, “All the time they ask us about how to guarantee the rights of [this or] that group and how to guarantee the rights of the woman — in Syria all of us will be under the Constitution and under the rule of law.”

He confirmed that a committee of experts will be formed to draft a new constitution, a process that could take up to four years. The committee will comprise all “the different groups of Syria” including women.

Al-Shaibani: “Beauty and Brilliance” of Syria’s Kurds

The Foreign Minister met the Prime Minister of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, on the sidelines of the forum.

The two men said they discussed the latest developments in Syria, explored ways to strengthen bilateral relations, and reviewed current regional dynamics.

Barzani posted:

Amid tension in northern Syria between Turkish-backed fighters and Kurdish groups, including the autonomous authority in the northeast, al-Shaibani referred to the Kurds as “our sisters and brothers”. He declared their integral role in Syrian society and assuring that their rights would be preserved and protected.

The Foreign Minister extended an invitation to Barzani to visit Damascus.

In return, Barzani emphasized the Kurdistan Regional Government’s commitment to peace and stability in Syria, expressing readiness to provide necessary support and assistance.

Barzani also exchanged greetings and compliments

Stron social media with a leading Syrian Kurdish official.