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Sheikh Qassem: Our supporters make up more than half of Lebanon's population, and all of these people are united under the banner of protecting Lebanon, its Resistance, its people, and its integrity.
Sheikh Qassem: There will be no phased handing in of our arms. [The Israelis] must first enact the agreement before we start talking about a defensive strategy.
Sheikh Qassem: Be brave in the face of foreign pressures, and we will be by your side in this stance.
Sheikh Qassem: Stripping us of our arms is like stripping us of our very soul, and this will prompt us to show them our might.
Sheikh Qassem: We will not abandon our arms, for they gave us dignity; we will not abandon our arms, for they protect us against our enemy.
Sheikh Qassem: The US efforts we are seeing are aimed at sabotaging Lebanon and constitute a call for sedition.
Sheikh Qassem: If you truly want to establish sovereignty and work for Lebanon’s interests, then stop the aggression.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States, which is meddling in Lebanon, is not trustworthy but rather poses a danger to it.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States is preventing the weapons that protect the homeland.
Sheikh Qassem: The government’s latest decision [on the disarmament of the Resistance] is non-charter-based, and if the government continues down this path, it is not faithful to Lebanon’s sovereignty.

EU to decide on Syria sanctions at January 27 meeting

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 12 Jan 2025 18:07
3 Min Read

The US has already eased some restrictions on Syria, granting a six-month exemption for certain transactions with Syrian governing institutions to enable humanitarian assistance and limited energy deals.

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    Germany's foreign minister Annalena Baerbock speaks to the press during a conference on Syria's future attended by top European and Middle Eastern diplomats hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Anwer Baraa)

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."

There are both hope and challenges in Syria.

Today in Riyadh, I will exchange with the Foreign Ministers from the Gulf States, the Middle East and Europe on the transition since the fall of the Assad regime.

It is important that Syria’s Hassan al-Shibani is here too. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Am3Fq76Nua

— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) January 12, 2025

The discussions come after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad on December 8 in a rapid offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The Islamist group, formerly linked to al-Qaeda, has since established an interim government in Damascus, prompting calls from Syria's new leadership to lift international sanctions and facilitate funding for reconstruction efforts.

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Germany on the lead

Germany has taken the lead in the EU's discussions. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock affirmed the importance of maintaining sanctions on those responsible for alleged war crimes while providing relief to the Syrian population.

"Sanctions against Assad's henchmen who committed serious crimes during the civil war must remain in place," she said in Riyadh. Baerbock also announced €50 million in aid for food, emergency shelters, and medical care.

Meanwhile, the US recently eased restrictions, granting a six-month exemption for certain transactions with Syrian governing institutions to enable humanitarian assistance and limited energy deals. The US also removed a $10 million bounty on Ahmad al-Sharaa, the HTS leader who led the campaign against Assad. Al-Sharaa, once associated with al-Qaeda, has distanced himself from the group and promised a government inclusive of religious minorities.

Read more: Russia must exit Syria for EU to lift sanctions on HTS: Dutch FM

The Riyadh conference, hosted by Saudi Arabia, marks the first high-level gathering of Western and Middle Eastern diplomats since Assad's removal. Discussions are focused on supporting Syria's interim authorities while addressing accountability for alleged war crimes committed during Assad's tenure. A statement from the UK Foreign Office highlighted the importance of ensuring mechanisms to hold the Assad regime accountable.

Syria's new leadership hopes the international community will mobilize funds to rebuild its devastated infrastructure and revitalize its economy. However, the process remains fraught with challenges amid the controversial appointment of jihadists in key leadership positions.

  • Syria
  • Sanctions on Syria
  • HTS
  • European Union

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