DAMASCUS: British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, currently on an official visit to Syria, has announced that the United Kingdom is restoring diplomatic relations with Damascus after more than a decade of estrangement.
Speaking in the Syrian capital, Lammy said that supporting Syria’s new government was in Britain’s national interest and necessary for ensuring stability in the region. He stressed that renewed diplomatic engagement would allow the UK to better address issues such as counter-terrorism, regional security, humanitarian aid, and refugee returns.
As part of this renewed engagement, the UK has pledged £94 million in aid to assist Syria’s ongoing recovery efforts. The funding is expected to be directed toward humanitarian relief, rebuilding essential infrastructure, and supporting refugees and displaced persons.
This marks the first visit by a British minister to Syria in 14 years. The UK had severed diplomatic ties with Syria in 2011, in response to President Bashar al-Assad’s violent crackdown on protests that escalated into a devastating civil war.
Lammy acknowledged the complex legacy of the conflict, which killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions, but said the UK “cannot afford to remain disengaged” if it wants to help shape a peaceful and stable future for Syria.
The announcement comes as several Western and Arab countries reassess their approach to Damascus, amid a broader regional push to reintegrate Syria diplomatically after years of isolation.
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