US Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in discussions with officials from Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Egypt to address the ongoing situation in Syria. These talks followed a previous conversation with the Turkish counterpart on Monday.
Blinken emphasized the US's commitment to supporting a new Syrian government that is democratically chosen by the Syrian people and upholds four key principles. These principles include respecting the rights of minorities, facilitating humanitarian aid, preventing Syria from becoming a hub for terrorism or posing threats to neighboring countries, and ensuring the safe disposal of any chemical weapons.
A State Department spokesperson highlighted Blinken's stance on promoting an inclusive and transparent process for selecting a future Syrian government, urging nations to refrain from interference. The US will extend recognition and full support to a government resulting from this process.
Recent developments in Syria saw the appointment of Mohammad Al-Bashir, a leader linked to Syrian rebels, as the caretaker prime minister for the next three months. During this period, Al-Bashir's government will oversee the transition to a new administration, as announced in a televised address.
The spokesperson also addressed concerns regarding the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), designated as a terrorist organization by the US. While HTS has expressed compliance with the outlined principles, the US will assess their actions in the upcoming days, weeks, and months.
Blinken plans to continue engaging with regional counterparts to further discuss the principles outlined in his statement and ensure alignment on the path forward for Syria.
