FM: Syria gains freedom, dignity after decades of despotism

Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani has said that a new government will take office in Syria next month, marking the end of the interim administration that has ruled the country since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.

Al-Shaibani made these remarks during the World Governments Summit in the United Arab Emirates, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media. 

"The government, which will begin its work on March 1, will strive to represent the Syrian people to the fullest and take into account its diversity," he said.

Al-Shaibani also highlighted that Syria's relationships with Iran and Russia remain a significant issue for the Syrian people, given the support these countries provided to the authoritarian regime of Bashar al-Assad during the prolonged civil war.

He acknowledged some "positive" signals from both Moscow and Tehran, but refrained from providing further details. 

However, he emphasised the new government's commitment in Damascus to improving relations with the West and working towards the lifting of sanctions on Syria, so the country can begin its recovery after the devastating 14-year-long war. 

"Syria has gained freedom and dignity after decades of despotism. This is a new era of peace and rebuilding," he noted.

Among al-Shaibani’s main concerns are the sanctions imposed by the US and the EU. According to EU estimates, Syria's reconstruction, with poverty affecting 90 per cent of the population and a GDP less than half of pre-war levels, will cost at least $250 billion. 

“Sanctions were imposed on the "Syrian regime due to its oppression. It is natural to lift them now,” he said. 

Al-Shaibani also stated that the interim government has put an end to all security issues and Captagon production, which had strained relations with neighbouring Jordan. Captagon, an amphetamine-type stimulant, was a major source of income for Assad's regime.

He said that however, tensions with Russia and Iran remain. Moscow hopes to maintain its air and naval bases in Syria along the Mediterranean coast. Iran also used Syria as a transit point to arm the Lebanese Hezbollah party and other groups in its self-proclaimed "Axis of Resistance" against Israel and the US. 

"The Syrian people are suffering from the wounds and pain inflicted on them by these two countries," he said, referring to Russia and Iran. "The Syrian people must feel comfortable in these relations to restore relations."

The World Governments Summit (WGS), held annually in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), serves as a significant platform for global leaders, policymakers, and thought leaders to discuss the future of governance, technological innovation, and sustainable development. The most recent edition of the summit, held in early February 2025, gathered key figures from around the world to address pressing issues such as climate change, technological advancements, economic growth, and the changing dynamics of global governance.

By Naila Huseynova