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The United Kingdom has formally restored diplomatic relations with Syria, eight months after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, marking a major shift in British foreign policy.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Saturday became the first British minister to visit Damascus in 14 years, holding talks with Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani during a high-level visit aimed at promoting regional stability.
“As the first UK minister to visit Syria since the fall of Assad’s brutal regime, I’ve seen firsthand the remarkable progress Syrians have made in rebuilding their lives and their country,” Lammy said in a statement.
He emphasized that the UK would support the Syrian government’s efforts to secure “a stable, more secure, and prosperous future for all Syrians,” adding that regional security is in Britain’s national interest.
Lammy’s visit included meetings with members of the Syrian civil defense organization, known as the White Helmets, who are engaged in clearing unexploded ordnance and providing emergency medical services. He also met with women-led businesses supported by the UK’s economic recovery program, underscoring Britain’s long-term development goals in post-conflict Syria.
The UK announced a £94.5 million assistance package that includes humanitarian aid, education support, and livelihood programs, as well as funding for neighboring countries hosting Syrian refugees..
“The fall of Assad presents an opportunity for the new Syrian government to fully declare and destroy Assad’s evil chemical weapons program,” Lammy said.
He reiterated Britain’s commitment to an inclusive political transition in Syria, noting that diplomatic engagement with Damascus could reduce irregular migration to Europe, prevent exploitation of vulnerable Syrians by people smugglers, and enhance regional counterterrorism efforts.
“A stable Syria is in the UK’s interests, reducing the risk of irregular migration, ensuring the destruction of chemical weapons, tackling the threat of terrorism, and delivering the Government’s Plan for Change,” Lammy said.
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