Syrian Foreign Minister Visits Qatar for Ties

Syria's new foreign minister, Asaad al-Shibani, is on a diplomatic mission to strengthen ties with regional countries, including a recent meeting with Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. During his visit to Doha, al-Shibani emphasized the need for the U.S. to lift sanctions imposed during Bashar al-Assad's regime, which he labeled as obstacles to Syria's recovery, as around 90% of Syrians live in poverty. Al-Shibani's agenda also includes upcoming visits to Jordan and the UAE to secure support for Syria’s stability and economic recovery. The backdrop of these discussions is the recent overthrow of Assad by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on December 8, 2024. Qatari officials reaffirmed their support for Syria’s unity while addressing humanitarian concerns. HTS's leadership is seeking to restore diplomatic relations with Arab nations and to alleviate the sanctions that have crippled the country's economy since the civil war began.