Western governments expand contact with Syria's new leadership

Nine days after Bashar al-Assad collapsed, Western states are gradually opening channels for the new authorities in Damascus led by the Islamic group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), though they continue to consider it a terrorist group.

Late Monday, Sharia, formerly known as the war nickname Abu Mohammed al-Jolanin, met with a British foreign ministry delegation.

He stressed the need for restoring ties and lifting sanctions on Syria so Syrian refugees can return home, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported.

Photos published by the SANA showed Sharaan- whose group was part of Al Qaidas until it broke ties in 2016 -- seated in a costume with an open shirt during the meeting.

It was his summit so far with a Western government official since HTS took power.

The images highlight the geopolitical change since Assad was brought down by the HTS-led forces, a blow to Russian and Assad's Iranian allies that could pave the way for Western states to re-open contact with Damascus.

But at least for now, every Western step requires maneuvering as about determining as a terrorist organisation committed to the HSS during the time it was the Al Qaidas branch and financial sanctions imposed on Damascus under Assad.

Shara “spoke of the need to build a legal state with institutions and establish security,” reported SANA.

He also spoke of Britain's important role at the international level of”.

Prior to the meeting, United Kingdom Foreign Minister David Lami said Britain had sent a delegation of senior United Kingdom officials “in Damascus this week for meetings with the new Syrian provisional authorities and members of civil society groups to Syria”.

German diplomats are also planning talks with HSS representatives in Damascus on Tuesday, the German foreign ministry said.

A German foreign ministry spokesman said the talks would focus on a transition process for Syria and protection of minorities.

“The possibilities of a diplomatic presence in Damascus are also being explored there,” the spokesman added in a statement, repeating that Berlin was closely monitoring the HSS in light of its roots in Al Qaidas ideology.

“as it can be said, they have acted prudently so far,” said the spokesman.

The Syrian conflict, which emerged from the 2011 uprising against Assad's iron fist rule, led millions of Syrians abroad as refugees, including about 1 million who went to Germany.

French diplomats are also expected to visit Damascus later Tuesday to meet HTS representatives, French officials said.

The US State Department said on Monday that the US government has had more than one communication with Hayat Tarhir al-Sham (HTS) over the past week.

EU foreign policy chief Kaya Kallas said on Monday that the European Union should be willing to ease sanctions on Syria if the country's new leadership takes positive “steps to create a comprehensive government and respect the rights of women and minorities.

The new administration in Damascus has presented little detail on its thinking of future steps for Syria, which is emerging from more than five decades of rule by the Assad family and nearly 14 years of devastating civil war.

Newly appointed Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir, who previously headed an HTS-related government in the province of Idlib, has said he will remain in office until March. / REL