Washington Reminds Golani that he Remains a Terrorist

American journalist Martin Smith with the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, in Idlib. Twitter account of Martin Smith
American journalist Martin Smith with the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, in Idlib. Twitter account of Martin Smith
TT

Washington Reminds Golani that he Remains a Terrorist

American journalist Martin Smith with the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, in Idlib. Twitter account of Martin Smith
American journalist Martin Smith with the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, in Idlib. Twitter account of Martin Smith

The US Department of Justice published a photo of the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammed al-Golani, to remind the public of a USD10 million award to anyone who provides information about him.

On its Arabic Rewards for Justice page, the Department said that Golani can wear a suit and try to look handsome, but he remains a terrorist.

It called for information about Golani to obtain a reward of up to USD10 million via Telegram, Signal, or WhatsApp.

This followed a photo published by American journalist Martin Smith on Twitter saying he met Golani during a three-day visit to Idlib in Syria.

The US, western countries, Turkey, and the UN have designated HTS as a terrorist organization.



EU Could Lift Some Syria Sanctions Quickly

FILED - 30 September 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
FILED - 30 September 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
TT

EU Could Lift Some Syria Sanctions Quickly

FILED - 30 September 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
FILED - 30 September 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa

European Union sanctions in Syria that obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid and hinder the country's recovery could be lifted swiftly, France's foreign minister said Wednesday.
The United States on Monday issued a sanctions exemption for transactions with governing institutions in Syria for six months after the end of Bashar al-Assad's rule to try to ease the flow of humanitarian assistance.
Speaking to France Inter radio, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the EU could take a similar decision soon without giving precise timing, while adding that lifting more political sanctions would depend on how Syria's new leadership handled the transition and ensured exclusivity.
"There are other (sanctions), which today hinder access to humanitarian aid, which hinder the recovery of the country. These could be lifted quickly," said Barrot, who met Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday with Germany's foreign minister.
"Finally, there are other sanctions, which we are discussing with our European partners, which could be lifted, but obviously depending on the pace at which our expectations for Syria regarding women and security are taken into account."
Three European diplomats speaking on condition of anonymity said the EU would seek to agree to lift some sanctions by the time the bloc's 27 foreign ministers meet in Brussels on Jan. 27.
Two of the diplomats said one aim was to facilitate financial transactions to allow funds to return to the country, ease air transport and lessen sanctions targeting the energy sector to improve power supplies.
Syria suffers from severe power shortages, with state-supplied electricity available two or three hours per day in most areas. The caretaker government says it aims to provide electricity for up to eight hours per day within two months.
The US waivers allow some energy transactions and personal remittances to Syria until July 7, but do not remove any sanctions.