Washington Renews Rejection of ‘Normalization’ with Damascus

Barbara Leaf received the Syrian opposition delegation in Washington on Tuesday. (US State Department)
Barbara Leaf received the Syrian opposition delegation in Washington on Tuesday. (US State Department)
TT
20

Washington Renews Rejection of ‘Normalization’ with Damascus

Barbara Leaf received the Syrian opposition delegation in Washington on Tuesday. (US State Department)
Barbara Leaf received the Syrian opposition delegation in Washington on Tuesday. (US State Department)

The US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Barbara Leaf, stressed that no normalization would take place with the Syrian regime “in the absence of permanent political change."

The US State Department announced, in a tweet, that Leaf met with a delegation of the opposition Syrian National Coalition (SNC) and reaffirmed that the US policy towards Syria “has not changed.”

The Bureau of Near East Asian Affairs in the Department of State said after the meeting: “No normalization with the Assad regime in the absence of enduring political change and strong support for UNSCR 2254 including the role of the Syrian opposition.”

On the other hand, the Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces announced that a delegation from the Negotiations Committee met with Leaf in Washington on Tuesday, adding that the head of the delegation underlined that “any political solution in Syria must be in accordance with Security Council resolutions… and that the absence of a political solution and the achievement of the transitional phase will increase the tragedy of the Syrian people.”

Meanwhile, a meeting on Tuesday that brought together the defense ministers and intelligence chiefs of Türkiye, Russia, Iran and Syria, was described by Ankara as fruitful.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that his country sought, through its participation in the Moscow meeting, to achieve peace and stability in the region as soon as possible.

Upon his return from Moscow, Akar noted that the Turkish side stressed during the meeting respect for the unity and sovereignty of the Syrian territories, adding that the sole purpose of the presence of the Turkish forces in northern Syria was to fight terrorist organizations, including the Kurdish People’s Protection Units.

Pro-government Syrian media had confirmed that the Syrian delegation to the Moscow meeting reiterated the call for the withdrawal of Turkish forces from northern Syria.



UN Calls for 'Immediate Deescalation' in Libyan Capital

Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
TT
20

UN Calls for 'Immediate Deescalation' in Libyan Capital

Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP
Man waving the Libyan flag - File Photo/AFP

The UN mission in Libya called for "immediate deescalation", citing reports of armed forces being mobilized in the capital and its surroundings that have raised fears of renewed violence.

In mid-May, there were clashes in Tripoli between forces loyal to the government and powerful armed groups wanting to dismantle it.

In a statement published late on Wednesday on X, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said there were "increased reports of continued military build-up in and around Tripoli", AFP reported.

It said it "strongly urges all parties to refrain from using force, particularly in densely populated areas, and to avoid any actions or political rhetoric that could trigger escalation or lead to renewed clashes".

It called for all parties to "engage in good faith" in deescalation and for the "swift implementation of security arrangements" set out during efforts to end the May violence.

Those clashes left six people dead, the United Nations said.

"Forces recently deployed in Tripoli must withdraw without delay," UNSMIL said.

Libya has been gripped by conflict since the 2011 overthrow and killing of longtime ruler Moamer Kadhafi in a NATO-backed uprising.

The country remains split between Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah's UN-recognized government based in Tripoli and a rival administration based in the east.

In a TV interview on Monday, Dbeibah called for armed groups to vacate the areas under their control.

Among the sites held by armed factions are the Mitiga airport in the east of the capital, which is controlled by the powerful Radaa Force.

"Dialogue -- not violence -- remains the only viable path toward achieving lasting peace, stability in Tripoli and across Libya", the UNSMIL statement said.