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Syrian Opposition Coalition Arrives in Riyadh

Syria's High Negotiations Committee attends a meeting with the UN Syria envoy during Syria peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland, February 27, 2017. (Reuters)
Syria's High Negotiations Committee attends a meeting with the UN Syria envoy during Syria peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland, February 27, 2017. (Reuters)
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Syrian Opposition Coalition Arrives in Riyadh

Syria's High Negotiations Committee attends a meeting with the UN Syria envoy during Syria peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland, February 27, 2017. (Reuters)
Syria's High Negotiations Committee attends a meeting with the UN Syria envoy during Syria peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland, February 27, 2017. (Reuters)

The Syrian National Coalition for Opposition (SNC), chaired by Riad Seif, arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for talks with Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on various issues related to the Syrian crisis.

A few days earlier, Saudi Arabia reiterated its position on the Syrian war and its commitment to the Geneva 1 outcomes as a basis for a solution that ensures regime head Bashar al-Assad does not remain in power.

Member of the political committee of the SNC Hadi al-Bahra said that the meeting with Jubeir was scheduled a while ago, hinting that it had nothing to do with the minister’s recent statements, which were later denied by the Saudi Foreign Ministry.

Bahra told Asharq Al-Awsat that the agenda of the meeting will cover recent political developments in Syria, including the issue of the de-escalation zones.

He added that the meeting with Jubeir is not linked to the expanded meeting scheduled in mid-August between Syria’s High Negotiations Committee (HNC), Moscow and Cairo and hosted by Riyadh.

So far, it has not been confirmed whether representatives of the Syrian opposition who participated in Cairo and Moscow conferences will attend the Riyadh talks.

Bahra said that HNC sent separate invitations to Cairo and Moscow, but he did not confirm if they received official responses.

The HNC hopes that the anticipated Riyadh meeting will unite positions on Assad leaving power.

Bahra admitted that Syrian opposition has a lot to achieve, especially regarding the Geneva talks, adding that there are serious attempts to come out with united positions.

“The foundation of the cause is to have united positions on all issues that ensure the success of the Geneva conference,” he added.

Bahra reiterated that the HNC intends to continue with the political negotiations dealing with the core of the Syrian crisis, which is the political transition. He stressed that it does not want to repeat the mistakes committed in Yemen and other areas.

“Everyone knows the foundations of a successful political transition and how to proceed. So, we must deal with all international changes, while making sure no more time is wasted,” he explained.

Bahra stressed that Assad’s departure is one of the main conditions of the political transition.

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Sports

‘The King Is Back’ - Egypt’s Salah Resumes Training After Hamstring Scare

Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) smiles before the World Cup Group G match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) smiles before the World Cup Group G match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP)
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‘The King Is Back’ - Egypt’s Salah Resumes Training After Hamstring Scare

Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) smiles before the World Cup Group G match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) smiles before the World Cup Group G match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP)

Egypt ‌captain Mohamed Salah resumed training on Tuesday, participating in part of the team's session as he continues his recovery from a hamstring strain and boosting hopes he will be fit for Friday's World Cup last-32 clash ‌against Australia.

Salah ‌was substituted during ‌Egypt's ⁠1-1 draw with ⁠Iran in their final group match, casting doubt over his availability for the knockout tie in Dallas.

Photos posted on the Egyptian ⁠Football Association's Facebook page ‌showed a ‌smiling Salah back on the ‌training pitch in Spokane, where ‌Egypt have been preparing for the Australia match.

The team accompanied the images with the ‌caption: "The King is back".

Salah's return was a timely ⁠boost ⁠for Egypt, who progressed to the knockout stages for the first time after finishing second in their group with five points, behind leaders Belgium on goal difference.

The 34-year-old has been instrumental in Egypt's campaign, scoring once and providing two assists.

Arab World

Syria Drafts Law to Protect Victims’ Rights from Assad Era

Monday’s demonstration outside the Palace of Justice in Damascus called for criminalizing symbols of the Assad era (Facebook). 
Monday’s demonstration outside the Palace of Justice in Damascus called for criminalizing symbols of the Assad era (Facebook). 
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Syria Drafts Law to Protect Victims’ Rights from Assad Era

Monday’s demonstration outside the Palace of Justice in Damascus called for criminalizing symbols of the Assad era (Facebook). 
Monday’s demonstration outside the Palace of Justice in Damascus called for criminalizing symbols of the Assad era (Facebook). 

Syria’s Ministry of Justice has completed a draft law aimed at protecting the rights of victims of the Assad era, preserving the historical record, safeguarding the collective memory of future generations, and preventing the recurrence of abuses.

Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais said Tuesday that the bill will be submitted to parliament as soon as it convenes to complete the constitutional process and secure final approval.

His remarks came a day after demonstrators gathered outside the Palace of Justice in central Damascus, calling for enforcement of Article 49 of Syria’s constitutional declaration. The provision criminalizes glorifying the former Assad regime and its symbols, as well as denying, praising, justifying, or minimizing its crimes.

Recent weeks have also seen protests in several parts of the country accompanied by violence and vandalism targeting supporters of the former regime and remnants of its security and military apparatus, raising concerns about social stability.

Al-Wais stressed that denying or justifying crimes committed by the former regime, or glorifying those responsible, violates the constitutional declaration because it undermines victims’ rights and Syria’s national memory. He said these principles form part of the country’s transitional justice framework.

He added that the Public Prosecution is pursuing such violations under existing law and urged the public to report acts or statements that breach the constitutional declaration so legal action can be taken.

According to legal sources, launching transitional justice proceedings before enacting a dedicated transitional justice law has created a gap between Syrians’ expectations for comprehensive accountability and current prosecutions conducted under the penal code.

Mohammed Suleiman Dahla, head of the Damascus Bar Association, told Asharq Al-Awsat that ongoing cases classify abuses as war crimes and crimes against humanity under international criminal and humanitarian law while simultaneously prosecuting them under the Syrian Penal Code.

He said the forthcoming transitional justice law — expected before the current trials conclude — would become the governing legislation, particularly regarding sentencing. Specialized judicial chambers handling such crimes have already begun operating in Damascus within the regular court system, from the Public Prosecution through investigative bodies to the criminal court, with plans to expand them to other provinces.

Dahla stressed that transitional justice legislation is essential for social recovery, institutional reform, closing the chapter on the past, preventing future abuses, and preserving historical memory. He also called for reviewing laws that helped the former regime consolidate control over the state, society, and the economy.

Sports

Senegal Ready to Face Belgium in ‘New Competition’ After Difficult Group Stage

Pape ‌Bouna Thiaw, manager of Senegal, attends a press conference after the training session one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Getty Images/AFP)
Pape ‌Bouna Thiaw, manager of Senegal, attends a press conference after the training session one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Senegal Ready to Face Belgium in ‘New Competition’ After Difficult Group Stage

Pape ‌Bouna Thiaw, manager of Senegal, attends a press conference after the training session one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Getty Images/AFP)
Pape ‌Bouna Thiaw, manager of Senegal, attends a press conference after the training session one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal at Seattle Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Getty Images/AFP)

Senegal coach Pape ‌Bouna Thiaw said his side can put their World Cup group-stage troubles behind them when they take on Belgium in the round of 32 on Wednesday, telling reporters that the knockout phase represents an entirely new competition.

Senegal lost their first two games, conceding six goals against France and Norway before a 5-0 thrashing of Iraq helped them squeak through as the eighth-best third-placed team, just above Iran on goal difference.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia, though, was clear about the threat Senegal posed, describing them earlier on Tuesday as ‌the best third-placed ‌squad to qualify.

Thiaw accepted Senegal had not ‌started ⁠the tournament well ⁠against strong opposition, but said his players would not be fazed going into the clash with Belgium.

"We needed to win the game against Iraq and now we are qualified," he said. "It's a new competition that's going to start and we are determined to win this game.

"It's a different competition starting tomorrow and it's not because ⁠you finish top of your group that you ‌are not going to be knocked ‌out," Thiaw added, citing the Netherlands' defeat by Morocco on penalties ‌on Monday.

Senegal had chances to take the lead against France before ‌they were eventually blown away in a 3-1 defeat and it was ultimately mistakes that cost them in their 3-2 loss to Norway.

Thiaw, though, chalked up the results to isolated problems rather than anything deeper ‌and said his side had worked on them before the Belgium game.

"The goals that we did ⁠concede, it ⁠was linked to a lot of individual errors ... when you come up against France and Norway, you cannot afford to be making those mistakes," he said.

Senegal will be without first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who was injured in the loss to Norway and had temporarily returned to his Saudi club Al-Ahli. He was replaced by Mory Diaw for the Iraq game.

"Edouard Mendy (went) back to his club ... he's going to get back with us tonight," Thiaw said. "He will be with us tomorrow, even if he won't be fit to play.

"We are happy to see him and we hope that he can be with us for the rest of the competition."