Blinken Says US Does Not Intend to Normalize Relations with Syria’s Assad

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (AP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (AP)
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Blinken Says US Does Not Intend to Normalize Relations with Syria’s Assad

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (AP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (AP)

The United States does not intend to support any efforts to normalize ties with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad or rehabilitate him until there is irreversible progress towards a political solution in Syria, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday.

Speak at a press conference, Blinken said Washington’s priorities in Syria focused on providing humanitarian aid, stemming any extremist activity that may target the United States and keeping violence down.

“What we do not intend to do is to express support for any efforts to normalize relations or rehabilitate Mr. Assad or lift a single sanction on Syria... until there is irreversible progress towards a political solution”, Blinken said.



Starmer Says Recognizing Palestinian State Must Be Part of Wider Peace Plan, E3 Urges End to Gaza War

People wave a giant Palestinian flag during a demonstration to support the population of Gaza called by various Albanian social organizations at Skanderbeg square in Tirana, on July 23, 2025. (AFP)
People wave a giant Palestinian flag during a demonstration to support the population of Gaza called by various Albanian social organizations at Skanderbeg square in Tirana, on July 23, 2025. (AFP)
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Starmer Says Recognizing Palestinian State Must Be Part of Wider Peace Plan, E3 Urges End to Gaza War

People wave a giant Palestinian flag during a demonstration to support the population of Gaza called by various Albanian social organizations at Skanderbeg square in Tirana, on July 23, 2025. (AFP)
People wave a giant Palestinian flag during a demonstration to support the population of Gaza called by various Albanian social organizations at Skanderbeg square in Tirana, on July 23, 2025. (AFP)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that recognizing Palestinian statehood should be part of a wider plan for lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis,

After France said on Thursday it would recognize Palestine, Starmer said he was working with allies on the steps that were needed for peace in the conflict in Gaza.

"Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis," he said in a statement after speaking with the leaders of France and Germany.

The leaders of the so-called E3 group of France, Britain and Germany called on Friday for an end to the war in Gaza through an immediate ceasefire and said they were committed to supporting diplomatic efforts by the United States, Qatar and Egypt.

"The humanitarian catastrophe that we are witnessing in Gaza must end now...We firmly oppose all efforts to impose Israeli sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territories," the leaders of the three European countries said in a joint statement.