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Extremism, Russia and Iran Have No Place in Syria’s Future, Says EU’s Kallas

EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas speaks to the press as she arrives to chair a European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Council meeting at the Europa building in Brussels on December 16, 2024. (AFP)
EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas speaks to the press as she arrives to chair a European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Council meeting at the Europa building in Brussels on December 16, 2024. (AFP)
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Extremism, Russia and Iran Have No Place in Syria’s Future, Says EU’s Kallas

EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas speaks to the press as she arrives to chair a European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Council meeting at the Europa building in Brussels on December 16, 2024. (AFP)
EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas speaks to the press as she arrives to chair a European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Council meeting at the Europa building in Brussels on December 16, 2024. (AFP)

Extremism, Russia and Iran should not have a place in Syria’s future, EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters on Monday after meeting with European foreign ministers.

"Many foreign ministers emphasized that it should be a condition for the new leadership to eliminate Russian influence (in Syria)," Kallas said.

Four Syrian official told Reuters on Saturday that while Russia is pulling back its military from the front lines in northern Syria and from posts in the Alawite Mountains, Moscow is not leaving its two main bases in the country after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.

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Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
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Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)

Hamas and two other Palestinian militant groups said on Saturday that a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel is "closer than ever", provided Israel does not impose new conditions.

"The possibility of reaching an agreement (for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal) is closer than ever, provided the enemy stops imposing new conditions," Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a rare joint statement issued after talks in Cairo on Friday.

Last week, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States were held in Doha, rekindling hope of an agreement.

A Hamas leader told AFP on Saturday that talks had made "significant and important progress" in recent days.

"Most points related to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange issues have been agreed upon," he said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue.

"Some unresolved points remain, but they do not hinder the process. The agreement could be finalized before the end of this year, provided it is not disrupted by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's new conditions."