Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone attacked the main road in the town of Harouf, South Lebanon.
Lebanese President: Israeli aggression on Blida took place in aftermath of meeting of ceasefire monitoring committee.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun asks Commander of Lebanese Army to confront any Israeli incursion into liberated Lebanese territory in the South.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli aircraft launch series of strikes on area of Jarmaq, South Lebanon.
Reuters: Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to restart peace talks in Istanbul.
Al-Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Blida municipality building two hours after occupying it, and the Lebanese army enters
Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.

KSA pressures EU officials to lift sanctions on Syria

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 13 Jan 2025 13:35
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan says international and unilateral sanctions on Syria should be lifted, stressing the importance of economic recovery in the country.

Listen
  • x
  • Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud speaks during a press briefing, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 12, 2025. (AP)
    Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud speaks during a press briefing, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 12, 2025. (AP)

In a meeting on Sunday, Saudi Arabia called on senior European diplomats to lift the sanctions imposed on Syria to support the country's reconstruction and economic recovery after the removal of President Bashar al-Assad last month, reported Politico.

Diplomats from Europe and the Middle East gathered in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, to discuss the future of Syria.

The United States and European countries have expressed caution regarding the "Islamic roots" of Syria's new leaders, emphasizing that the lifting of sanctions hinges on progress in the political transition.

According to Politico, the interim government has pledged to transition to an open, pluralistic system. The report added that the interim government is seeking international support as Syria works to recover from nearly 14 years of war.

It is worth mentioning that Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani attended the meeting on Sunday.

Saudi FM calls for lifting of sanctions 

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized during the meeting that international and unilateral sanctions on Syria should be lifted.

Related News

UN expresses concern over massacres, human rights violations in Syria

Russia resumes flights to Hmeimim Air Base in Syria

He said by maintaining the sanctions, the Syrian people will not be able to "achieve development and reconstruction."

Continuing them [sanctions] “will hinder the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people to achieve development and reconstruction,” he said. Additionally, he also praised the interim government's efforts so far, including promises to initiate a political process "that encompasses various components" of the Syrian population.

Kaja Kallas, EU Foreign Policy chief, who also participated in the meeting, stated that European countries seek a government in Syria that represents all religious and ethnic groups. She added, "We also want to see the inclusion of women in this process, so these are the issues we will discuss."

Moreover, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Turkiye, a staunch supporter of the Syrian opposition to al-Assad, will strive to assist Syria in normalizing its relations with the international community.

He added that it is crucial to establish a "balance between the expectations of the international community and the reality faced by the new administration in Syria."

Fidan also pledged Turkey's support for the new government, adding, "As Turkiye, we are ready to do our part in easing the challenging path ahead for the Syrian people."

Decision on sanctions on January 27 

European foreign ministers are set to convene in Brussels on January 27 to deliberate on lifting sanctions against Syria, European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on Sunday.

Speaking in Riyadh ahead of a conference involving Middle Eastern and Western diplomats, as well as Syria's new foreign minister, Kallas noted that any easing of sanctions would be conditional on the new administration's governance approach.

"The principle of including different groups, women, and ensuring no radicalization is critical," Kallas stated. She added, "If we see the developments going to the right direction, we are ready to do the next steps... If we see that it's not going to the right direction, then we can also move back on this."

  • Syria
  • KSA
  • European Union

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025
What Marr evidently didn't seem to understand was that Hedges isn't saying that Western journalists manipulate the truth, but that they systematically amplify Israeli narratives they know are false. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Western journalists know they have a case to answer for their betrayal of Gaza, and it frightens them

  • Opinion
  • 24 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
ap
Politics

Hamas calls on int’l community to act against Israeli settlement plan

In this Nov. 9, 2017, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump, right, chats with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (AP)
Economy

Ex-US diplomat says Trump-Xi deal 'tactical retreat', not lasting deal

An unarmed Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, during a test in 2002. (US Air Force)
Politics

JD Vance defends Trump's nuclear test plan as 'crucial for security'

Ultra-Orthodox Jews attend the "million man" protest against military conscription, in occupied al-Quds, October 30, 2025 (AFP)
Politics

Haredi mass rally in al-Quds exposes Zionist regime's growing crisis

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS