'Riyadh Meetings On Syria' Held, Saudi Arabia Urges Lifting Sanctions

Saudi Arabia called for the lifting of sanctions on Syria after meeting with top diplomats from the Middle East and Europe focusing on the war-ravaged country’s future. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan stressed the importance of lifting unilateral and international sanctions imposed on Syria.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, led the UAE delegation to the meeting. The agenda included a meeting of Arab officials as well as a broader gathering that also included Turkey, France, the European Union, and the United Nations.

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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 Assad Al Shaibani.

Western powers, including the United States and EU, imposed heavy sanctions on Assad’s government over his brutal crackdown on anti-government protests in 2011, which triggered civil war.

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Some US sanctions long pre-date conflict, with Washington labelling Syria a ‘State sponsor of terrorism’ in 1979 and adding further measures in 2004.

The US Treasury Department said recently that it would ease the enforcement of restrictions affecting essential services such as energy and sanitation. However, Washington will wait to see progress before any wider easing of sanctions.