As world powers strive for stability following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, leading diplomats from the Middle East and Europe arrived in the Saudi capital on Sunday to discuss Syria.
Following the overthrow of Assad by Islamist-led rebels last month, Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the Middle East, is attempting to expand its influence in Syria, according to analysts.
According to a Saudi official who spoke to AFP, the discussions will involve a meeting of Arab authorities as well as a larger assembly that also includes Turkey, France, the European Union, and the UN.
Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the main rebel group in the alliance that overthrew Assad, is pushing for sanctions relief. His administration is represented at the Riyadh talks by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.
Because of Assad’s violent suppression of anti-government demonstrations in 2011, which led to civil war, Western nations, particularly the US and the EU, placed sanctions on his regime.
Over 13 years of conflict have resulted in the deaths of over half a million Syrians, the destruction of infrastructure, the impoverishment of the populace, and the exodus of millions of people, including to Europe.
Last Monday, the US Treasury Department said that it would relax enforcement of regulations that impact basic services like energy and sanitation.
However, US officials suggest they would hold off on lifting sanctions more broadly until they see progress.
Kaja Kallas, the top diplomat for the European Union, stated Friday that if Syria’s new leaders took action to establish an inclusive government that safeguarded minorities, the 27-nation group might start removing sanctions.
The German government wants a “smart approach” to sanctions that would allow help to reach Syrians, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters in Riyadh on Sunday.
“Sanctions against Assad’s henchmen who committed serious crimes during the civil war must remain in place… Syrians now need a quick dividend from the transition of power,” she said, adding that Germany would provide another 50 million euros “for food, emergency shelter and medical care.”
According to the United Nations, seven out of 10 Syrians need help.
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