Calls for an “inclusive and non-sectarian” government come from U.S., Turkish, Arab, and European Union officials.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that the U.S. has been in direct contact with Syria’s Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) after the militants overthrew the Assad regime. The United States still designates the rebel group, established as an al-Qaeda affiliate in 2011, as a terrorist organization. The HTS leader reportedly severed ties to al-Qaeda in 2016.
Secretary Blinken said last week, “We will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the United Nations, to establish a transition away from the Assad regime, toward independent, sovereign and independent. Syria with a new constitution, new government that serves all Syrians.”
The secretary said the whereabouts of American journalist Austin Tice were one of the concerns raised.
During the Aqaba Joint Contact Group ministerial meeting on Syria, a joint statement was released by the United States, the Arab Contact Group on Syria, Bahrain, France, Germany, Qatar, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the UN Special Envoy for Syria to support “the Syrian people at this critical point in their history to build a more hopeful, secure and peaceful future.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Blinken as he collaborates on the diplomatic outreach to Syria.
- For wisdom for U.S. officials as they seek to ensure a peaceful future for Syrians.
Sources: State Department, NBC News, BBC
