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
Gaza Ministry of Health: Direct threats to residential areas surrounding hospitals are part of "Israel’s" systematic plan targeting the healthcare system
Gaza Ministry of Health: We renew our urgent appeal to the relevant authorities to intervene and protect healthcare institutions
Gaza Ministry of Health: We warn against reaching the point of a complete collapse of the healthcare system in the southern part of the Strip
Gaza Health Ministry: Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis going out of service would lead to a humanitarian disaster with unpredictable consequences
Palestinian sources: Several displaced Palestinians were reportedly injured after being targeted by occupation forces while waiting for aid west of Rafah
Israeli media: A senior European Union official hinted that 'Israel' would be held accountable for violating international law in Gaza
Al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Obeida: The losses incurred by the occupation today in Khan Younis and Jabalia are an extension of a series of top-tier operations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: The invading Israeli force is digging a trench and erecting earthen berms, amid detected activity suggesting preparations to install espionage equipment
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: An Israeli force breaches the "technical fence" in the Wazzani area
Israeli media: 4 Israeli soldiers killed in the Gaza Strip

US officials engaged in direct dialogue with HTS, Blinken says

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 14 Dec 2024 22:11
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Washington has outlined its expectations for Syria’s political transition to various actors.

Listen
  • x
  • Regional, US diplomats call for minority rights in Syria: Blinken
    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers a statement to the press after the meeting with the foreign ministers of the Arab Contact Group on Syria in Jordan's southern city of Aqaba on December 14, 2024 (AFP)

Senior diplomats from the United States, Turkey, the European Union, and Arab nations have reached a consensus that any new government in Syria must uphold minority rights, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Saturday.

The statement follows discussions in Jordan and direct engagement with opposition groups responsible for ousting President Bashar al-Assad.

Speaking at a press conference, Blinken highlighted the agreement on a joint communiqué, which underscores the need for an inclusive, representative government that safeguards minority rights and avoids serving as "a base for terrorist groups."

"Today's agreement sends a unified message to the new interim authority and parties in Syria on the principles crucial to securing much needed support and recognition," he said.

US engaged in direct dialogue with HTS

Additionally, Blinken revealed that US officials have engaged in direct dialogue with the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, urging it and other opposition factions to assist in locating Austin Tice, an American journalist abducted in Syria in 2012.

Related News

'Israel' storms Quneitra amid tensions near occupied Syrian Golan

New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

He added that Washington has outlined its expectations for Syria’s political transition to various actors.

The meeting, hosted in al-Aqaba, Jordan, included representatives from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar. The gathering excluded Russia and Iran, al-Assad’s primary allies, and did not feature a Syrian representative.

Arab diplomats issued a separate statement advocating for a peaceful, inclusive political transition that paves the way for elections and a new constitution.

During the talks, Arab officials sought Turkey’s assurances of supporting these goals and preventing Syria’s division along sectarian lines, according to Reuters.

Turkey and the United States, both NATO allies, hold divergent interests regarding certain militant factions. In northern Syria, Turkish-backed groups have engaged in clashes with the Kurdish-led US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The SDF is predominantly led by the People's Defense Units (YPG), which Ankara regards as an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey.

During his recent visit to Ankara, Blinken urged Turkish leaders to ensure ISIS does not regroup and that the SDF remain focused on securing camps holding ISIS fighters. Turkish officials reportedly concurred, according to a US delegation representative.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated that eliminating the US-backed People's Defense Units (YPG) remains a strategic goal for Ankara, calling on the group’s leaders to withdraw from Syria.

Read more: Arab League condemns 'Israel’s' occupation of Syrian territories

  • Syria
  • United States
  • Turkey
  • Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham
  • US
  • Antony Blinken
  • HTS

Most Read

Lebanon's PM Nawaf Salam meets with US envoy Morgan Ortagus in Beirut on April 5, 2025 (Dalati Nohra via AP)AP)

Morgan Ortagus to exit US role in Lebanon amid policy shift

  • Politics
  • 1 Jun 2025
A Palestinian woman mourns as she embraces the body of her daughter Mayar Abu Odeh, 8, who was killed in an Israeli army strike on Gaza. at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP)

French port workers block arms shipment to 'Israel' amid Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 4 Jun 2025
New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

  • Politics
  • 4 Jun 2025
Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP)

Boston Consulting Group withdraws from GHF

  • Palestine
  • 3 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/pentagon-chief--nato-likely-to-back-trump-s-5--defence-spend
Politics

Europe spent $3 trillion on defense, but got little in return - FT

Power, parties, and scandal: Trump’s ties to Epstein: Telegraph
Europe

Power, parties, and scandal: Trump’s ties to Epstein - The Telegraph

Eilat port as seen from the sea, occupied Palestine, March 12 2009 (wikimedia commons)
Politics

YAF operations forced 80% plunge in Eilat port revenues in 2024

EU backs International Criminal Court after US sanctions judges
Europe

EU backs International Criminal Court after US sanctions judges

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