Baghdad: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani, addressing the 34th Arab Summit on Saturday, announced that Syria has initiated significant steps towards recovery and restoring stability. In his statement at the summit, Al-Shibani emphasized that Syria will not fall under foreign mandate nor become a battleground for settling scores.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Shibani welcomed the announcement by US President Donald Trump to lift sanctions, describing it as a crucial step in the nation's path to recovery and reconstruction. He credited sincere Arab diplomatic efforts for this development and expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia and Trkiye for their mediation. Al-Shibani also extended his thanks to Qatar for consistently supporting the Syrian people through various phases, and acknowledged the support from the UAE, Jordan, and the GCC states during this critical period.
The Syrian foreign minister clarified that lifting the sanctions is just the beginning, expressing hope for genuine collaboration among Arab nations to achieve development, strengthen regional security, and enhance stability. He stated that Syria has commenced a recovery process that is inclusive of all Syrians, highlighting the formation of a comprehensive government that reflects the people's will. Al-Shibani stressed the importance of justice and truth for conciliation and peace, and rejected any attempts to divide Syrian territories. He also acknowledged ongoing challenges such as threats from the group "Daesh" and condemned Israeli attacks on southern Syria, reaffirming adherence to the 1974 forces' separation treaty as a legal foundation for border security.