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Syrian Foreign Minister Visits Qatar to Discuss Cooperation, Urges US to Lift Sanctions

Jan 5, 2025, 07:36 AM

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, along with Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and intelligence chief Anas Khattab, arrived in Doha on Sunday for their first official visit to Qatar since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad last month. The delegation aims to discuss prospects for cooperation and coordination between Syria and Qatar. This visit follows Shaibani's recent trip to Saudi Arabia and is part of a regional tour that will also include stops in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. During the visit, Shaibani reiterated his government's call for the United States to lift sanctions on Syria, emphasizing the need for economic recovery and stability. Qatar, which had not normalized ties with the Assad regime, expressed support for Damascus after Assad's ouster and is keen on enhancing cooperation with the new Syrian administration.