伊人直播

• second UK Ministerial visit to Syria since the fall of Assad reiterates UK support for political transition
• UK鈥檚 Minister for the Middle East held bilateral meetings with the Syrian Government in Damascus and met Syrian investigators who helped gather evidence on Assad鈥檚 war crimes
• partnership between the UK and Syria will help rebuild a safer and more stable country, delivering on the UK鈥檚 Plan for Change security and migration priorities

The UK and Syria achieved closer bilateral relations following the Minister for the Middle East鈥檚 visit to Damascus today, with a focus on security and accountability.聽

The visit by Hamish Falconer, UK Minister for the Middle East, follows Foreign Secretary David Lammy鈥檚 historic trip in July that re-established UK-Syria diplomatic relations after 14 years.聽

Minister Falconer met with Syrian Foreign Minister Al Shaibani and Justice Minister al-Wais to discuss progress on Syria鈥檚 political transition, including next steps on security and accountability following the recent sectarian violence in southern Syria.聽

Whilst in Damascus, the Minister paid tribute to Syrian investigators from the Commission for International Justice and Accountability (CIJA), who helped gather evidence and expose Assad鈥檚 war crimes over many years.聽

Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, said:聽

My visit to Syria today demonstrates the UK鈥檚 ongoing commitment to developing our partnership with Syria, helping to rebuild a safer and more prosperous country.聽

Delivering on the UK government鈥檚 Plan for Change, a strong UK-Syria relationship enables us to protect the UK鈥檚 national security and prevent irregular migration whilst supporting Syria鈥檚 transition to stability and accountability.聽

The situation in Syria remains fragile. We will continue to support the Syrian government to deliver an inclusive political transition.

This visit reinforces the UK鈥檚 strategic approach to Syria outlined in the government鈥檚 Plan for Change, prioritising the UK鈥檚 secure borders and national security whilst supporting Syria鈥檚 transition to stability and accountability.聽

The UK鈥檚 engagement with Syria鈥檚 new government focuses on delivering concrete outcomes that benefit both the Syrian people and UK security interests, including preventing irregular migration and ensuring terrorist groups cannot exploit instability.聽

Background

• In response to the recent violence in southern Syria, the UK provided 拢1.7 million of vital humanitarian assistance for more than 85,000 affected Syrians.