US downgrades Syria's UN mission legal status: Diplomatic sources
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The move indicates that the United States does not recognize the transitional Syrian government.
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The United Nations logo is seen inside the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024 (AP)
The United States has downgraded the legal status of Syria's UN mission from one of a member state of the UN to a mission of an unrecognized government, diplomatic sources told Al Mayadeen on Monday.
Diplomatic sources told Al Mayadeen that the US State Department formally notified the United Nations of the decision via Memorandum No. "41-HC-2025-03-04-2025."
The sources noted that the memorandum regarding Syria’s mission includes the revocation of G1-category visas, which are designated for UN-accredited diplomats, and replacing them with G3-category visas, which are designated for eligible private citizens.
The decision to change the status of the Syrian mission reflects "the United States' non-recognition of the Syrian transitional government," the sources maintained, adding that some countries would align with the US stance on the matter.
Syria’s state news agency, SANA, quoted a senior foreign ministry source as saying that the change to the legal status of Syria’s mission in New York was “purely a technical and administrative procedure.”
However, Hazem al-Ghabra, former Advisor at the US State Department, stated that the United States' decision to downgrade the status of the Syrian Mission to the UN comes after the transitional Syrian government failed to meet some key US demands.
Al-Ghabra said that the move is both a "political and legal decision," explaining that “according to U.S. immigration and visa laws, any delegation’s visa status must align with its official recognition by the United States. This is about legitimate presence and compliance with American law."
The US had earlier presented demands to the Syrian transitional government without receiving an official response. “The Syrian transitional government in Damascus has neither accepted nor rejected the list, and this lack of clarity poses a serious issue,” al-Ghabra noted.
The US had outlined specific conditions for engaging with the transitional authorities, including a complete rejection of terrorism, the exclusion of foreign terrorist fighters from official positions, and preventing Iran and its affiliated groups from exploiting Syrian territory, according to an April 1 statement by US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
This comes as Syria intensifies it diplomatic efforts with the United States in a bid to obtain relief from sanctions that crippled Damascus' economy throughout 14 years of war on the country.
US sets conditions for Syria sanctions relief
The United States has presented Syria with a set of requirements for partial sanctions relief, including prohibiting foreign nationals from holding senior government positions, six sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on March 25.
US Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Levant and Syria Natasha Franceschi presented the demands to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani during a meeting on March 18, according to two sources—a US official and a Syrian source.
Among the US conditions are Syria’s destruction of any remaining chemical weapons stockpiles and cooperation on counterterrorism, according to two US officials, a Syrian source, and additional sources in Washington.
Another demand is ensuring that foreign fighters do not occupy senior roles within the government. The issue has drawn international concern, as Syria has reportedly appointed former foreign rebels, including Uyghurs, a Jordanian, and a Turk, to its defense ministry.
