US diplomats visit Syria to meet new rulers
Diplomats from the United States have not been to Damascus on a formal mission since the early days of the civil war, which began in 2011
US diplomats met with Syria’s new ruler on Friday, an official said, as outside powers seek assurances the country’s Islamist-led authorities will be moderate and inclusive.
The ouster of former president Bashar al-Assad ended decades of abuses and years of civil war, but raised concerns over minorities and women’s rights, as well as the future of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region.
The lightning offensive that toppled Assad was led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), rooted in al-Qaeda’s Syria branch but recently adopting a moderate stance.
Its sudden arrival in the capital has left foreign governments, especially the United States, scrambling for new policies, as HTS is designated a terrorist group by some countries.
A Syrian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, later confirmed the US delegation had met with Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of HTS.
“And the results will be positive, God willing,” the official added.
A planned press conference by the US delegation was “cancelled due to security concerns”.
