Qatar’s Emir visits Syria, urges new interim President al-Sharaa to type inclusive govt

Visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani emphasised the “pressing want” to type an inclusive Syrian authorities throughout a gathering Thursday with the nation’s new interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Qatari royal courtroom mentioned.

The emir’s journey to Damascus – the primary by a head of state since Islamist-led rebels toppled president Bashar al-Assad lower than two months in the past – comes a day after Sharaa was appointed interim president for an unspecified transitional interval.

It additionally follows a go to by Qatar’s prime minister this month.

The emir “confused the pressing must type a authorities representing all spectrums” of Syrian society so as “to consolidate stability and transfer ahead with reconstruction, improvement and prosperity tasks”, the royal courtroom assertion mentioned, congratulating Sharaa on his appointment.

Syria’s new authorities on Wednesday mentioned Sharaa had additionally been tasked with forming a transitional legislature. They introduced the dissolution of all armed teams concerned in Assad’s overthrow, in addition to the previous authorities’s military.

A transitional authorities had beforehand been appointed to steer the multi-ethnic, multi-confessional nation till March 1.

Syrian International Minister Asaad al-Shaibani mentioned discussions with the Qatari delegation included reconstruction within the nation devastated by almost 14 years of civil warfare.

“We mentioned a complete framework for bilateral cooperation regarding reconstruction,” Shaibani mentioned throughout a press convention with Qatari Minister of State on the international ministry, Mohammed al-Khulaifi.

He mentioned their talks lined “important sectors together with infrastructure… funding and banking companies, paving the way in which for financial restoration, well being and schooling”.

‘Historic go to’

Not like different Arab international locations, Qatar didn’t restore diplomatic ties with Syria below Assad and was one of many first to again the armed insurrection that erupted after his authorities crushed a peaceable rebellion in 2011.

A number of visiting international officers have urged an inclusive transition after Sharaa’s Islamist group led the offensive that ousted Assad on December 8.

Khulaifi welcomed Wednesday’s announcement by Syria’s authorities “on the top of the revolutionary section and the transition to the section of creating the state”.

Doha would proceed “to supply the required assist on all humanitarian and repair ranges, and likewise relating to infrastructure and electrical energy”, he mentioned.

Qatar was the second nation, after Turkey, to reopen its embassy in Damascus following Assad’s overthrow. It has urged the lifting of sanctions.

Throughout a go to earlier this month, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani pledged to assist the rehabilitation of Syria’s infrastructure.

He mentioned the settlement included offering Syria with 200 megawatts of energy and steadily rising manufacturing.

A diplomatic supply has additionally mentioned Qatar was weighing plans to help Syria with public sector salaries.

Regional congratulations

Saudi Arabia’s king and crown prince on Thursday congratulated Sharaa on assuming Syria’s interim presidency.

Riyadh was key to returning Assad’s Syria to the Arab League in 2023, after overtly championing his overthrow following Damascus’s 2011 crackdown on pro-democracy protests, which sparked warfare.

“We’re happy to precise our congratulations on the event of your assumption of the presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic within the transitional section,” King Salman mentioned in a cable, in accordance with the international ministry.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi prime minister and de facto ruler below his ageing father, despatched a separate cable additionally providing his congratulations, the assertion mentioned.

Final week, Saudi Arabia’s international minister visited Damascus, promising assist to safe the lifting of worldwide sanctions imposed throughout Assad’s rule.

Shaibani travelled to Riyadh early in January for his first official journey overseas, and likewise visited Qatar throughout a regional tour.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II additionally congratulated Sharaa on Thursday, wishing him “success in main Syria and serving its folks”.

On December 23, Qatar’s Khulaifi led the primary high-level delegation from his nation to Damascus after the 13-year diplomatic rift.

Amid a flurry of diplomatic exercise, a delegation from Russia, a detailed ally of ousted chief Assad, visited this week, whereas international ministers or senior officers from international locations together with France, Germany and Turkey have additionally been to Damascus.

Syria’s defence ministry mentioned Thursday {that a} high-level Turkish navy delegation additionally visited the nation.