Syria's transitional government calls for lifting sanctions, unfreezing assets amid economic crisis

Mohammed al-Bashir, the head Syria's transitional government, has called for the unfreezing of the country’s foreign assets and the removal of sanctions due to the dire economic situation facing the nation.

Al-Bashir urged the international community to take action, stating, “We call on the international community to unblock Syria's frozen assets,” Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

He further highlighted the severity of the economic challenges, noting that Syria’s financial reserves are critically low and the national currency is experiencing a significant devaluation.

Al-Bashir also stressed the importance of lifting sanctions to help stabilize the economy, promote investment, and facilitate the country’s recovery.

Earlier, Ahmed al-Shara, leader of the rebel coalition that ousted the Assad regime in Damascus last week, has also called on the United States and other nations to lift the sanctions imposed on Syria. He emphasized that all restrictions needed to be removed to allow the country to begin rebuilding.

Al-Shara made his comments in Damascus on the same day that Bashar al-Assad, Syria's deposed dictator, seemed to address his decision to flee to Russia. In a statement posted on social media accounts he had used while in office, al-Assad claimed he wanted to stay and fight but was evacuated by Russian forces as the rebels advanced on the capital. He described Syria as now being under the control of "terrorism."

These remarks, from both the former and current faces of a country devastated by over 13 years of civil war, came as the rebel alliance worked to fill the power vacuum left by the collapse of al-Assad’s regime. Meanwhile, foreign governments and Syria’s minority groups are looking for signals regarding the country’s future direction.

Al-Shara appears to be making significant strides toward international recognition, with a steady stream of officials from the United Nations, Europe, and the Middle East visiting Damascus to meet with him or reopen embassies.

By Vafa Guliyeva