Foreign Secretary David Lammi has become the first UK minister to visit Syria, due to which the country’s civil war started 14 years ago.
Lammi met Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Shara, eight months after the collapse of the Assad rule and as the new Islamic-led government establishes control within the country.
Along with the journey, the UK government announced an additional £ 94.5M support package to cover humanitarian aid and support long-term recovery within countries helping Syria and Syrian refugees.
Lemy told the BBC that the purpose of his meeting was to promote inclusion, transparency and accountability with the new government.
He said, “I am talking to this new government, so that they can be urged to be inclusive, to ensure that the way they rule, there is transparency and accountability.”
“But [also] To stand up by Syrian people and Syria because it makes a peaceful infection in the coming months. ,
Syria is in a delicate position with the charge of a new Islamic government.
In December, the rebels, a group, under the leadership of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, who have been prosecuted by the UK, the United Nations and the United States, storm the Damascus, which topped the Assad rule, who ruled the country for 54 years.
Since then, Western countries have demanded resetting relations with the country.
In late June, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending the restrictions Against the country.
The White House said it would monitor the functions of the new Syrian government at the time, including “to address foreign terrorists” and “banning the Palestinian terrorist groups”.
Britain has also lifted restrictions.
Al-Sara met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in May, while other foreign officials including Ukraine’s Foreign Minister visited Syria.
Many members of the new Syrian government, including the interim president, were members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
Asked how the government treats a group, which he listed on the accused terror group as a pseudo-name for al-Qaeda, Lemi said that he has recognized that there is a recent history related to terrorism and war in the country, but said that the UK is “for the future” and the new government.
Various violent attacks have been carried out against minority groups in Syria in recent months.
Hundreds of people have been killed by Alvite minority, there were violent attacks on the Drews community, and recently a cruel attack on peaceful worshipers inside a church in Damascus.
Internationally, these attacks have worried that the new Syrian government can protect minorities, but can also provide security and stability.
There are cases of murder or kidnapping almost every day.
Lemi said: “It is important that Britain to ensure that the remainder has been tipped in the right direction, balance of accountability, transparency, inclusion for all communities that create this country, a rich and a peaceful.”
Within Syria, many people are worried that the government is slipping towards a new form of dictatorship.
There are restrictions on social freedom, the role of women is being marginalized in the government, and there is greater enforcement of Islamic practices rather than a clear governance based on the civic codes representing the whole society.
In these initial days of the government, there is also fear of how it is being formed.
Only one woman minister has been appointed and Al -Shara has made almost every other appointment – which has no election, referendum or referendum survey.
Many appointments in the government are reported to be based on connection rather than merit, and most of them have a radical Islamic agenda and are implemented.
Lemy said that Britain wants Syria to “move towards peace, prosperity, stability for people and an inclusive country” and will use humanitarian aid to help.
He said that the UK would monitor the situation to ensure the new government that the population ruled in an inclusive manner.
The UK government is also supporting the prohibition organization of chemical weapons (OPCW) to help eliminate Assad’s chemical weapons in Syria.
Another £ 2m was committed to the organization for this financial year, in addition to about £ 837,000 since the collapse of Assad.
There are many challenges ahead of Syria – both in the internal and region.
Israel has invaded parts of Syria and carried out hundreds of airstrikes, and is hundreds of square kilometers inside the Syrian region.
Lemi said that he urged the Israeli government to think again about some of his actions “” to avoid reducing the progress that can be done in this new Syria “.
Hundreds of foreign fighters and their families have been arrested for years in custody in northwest Syria, including dozens of UK.
Asked if Britain is about to take them back home, Lammy did not give a clear answer.
He said that he had discussed the issue of camps with the Syrian president, as well as to help the country deal with anti -terrorism and irregular migration.
The situation in Syria is uncertain, and its safety is at risk with the dangers of the Islamic State Group and radical jihadi fighters who have joined the government.
While international support will certainly help the war -torn country to recover, it can also help the government pressurize the government to be representative of a diverse and open society.
