Syria seeking 'clear policy' from Russia, Iran: FM
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Asaad al-Shibani says there were "clear messages of respect [from Russia and Iran] for the new Syrian administration and respect for the sovereignty of the Syrian people."
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Syria's Interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani talks to Kuwaiti journalist Ammar Taqi during the World Governments Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, February 12, 2025. (AP)
Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani indicated Wednesday that Damascus had received encouraging messages but needed more assurances from Russia and Iran, former President Bashar al-Assad's primary allies.
Al-Shibani stated during the World Government Summit 2025 in Dubai that "there are positive messages, but we want these positive messages to turn into a clear policy that makes the Syrian people feel reassured."
Russia aims to maintain its naval base in Tartus and its air base in Hmeimim, both located in Northwest Syria. Last month, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov met with Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus.
"There are clear messages of respect for the new Syrian administration and respect for the sovereignty of the Syrian people. But as I told you, there are wounds among the Syrian people and there is pain that the Syrian people have suffered at the hands of these two countries," al-Shibani added.
A senior Iranian official informed Reuters in December that Tehran had established a direct connection with Syria's new government.
Al-Shibani also stated that he was officially invited to visit Iraq and would fly to Baghdad shortly.
Last week, Syria's new Defense Minister Major General Murhaf Abu Qasra stated that Syria is open to allowing Russia to maintain its air and naval bases along the Mediterranean coast, provided that any agreement with Moscow serves Damascus' national interests.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Abu Qasra explained that the Syrian government is adopting a pragmatic approach, reassessing and forming new alliances while reconsidering old ones that were established under the previous regime.
He emphasized that Russia's stance toward the new Syrian government has "improved significantly" since the fall of the Assad regime in December, and similarly, the Syrian government's position toward Moscow has shifted, signaling a change in their strategic approach.
Abu Qasra also revealed that Syria is exploring the possibility of defense agreements with multiple countries and is engaged in sensitive negotiations with the United States and Turkiye concerning the status of their military bases in the country.
