Foreign Secretary David Lammy flew to Damascus yesterday to pledge a £94.5 million package in support of Syria’s new government.
It was the first visit by a British minister to the war-ravaged country in 14 years and signalled the re-establishment of formal diplomatic relations.
The funds will provide urgent humanitarian aid to Syria and support the country’s longer-term recovery through the development of areas such as education, the Government said.
‘There is renewed hope for the Syrian people,’ Mr Lammy said. ‘It is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians.’
The West has been slowly resetting its approach to Syria since insurgent forces – led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham – ousted Bashar al-Assad as president in December following more than 13 years of war.
Mr Lammy’s visit came days after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order terminating a sanctions program on the country.
Britain also eased its sanctions in March, unfreezing the assets of Syria’s central bank as well 23 other entities.
A stable Syria will ‘reduce the risk of irregular migration’, ensure chemical weapons are destroyed and tackle the threat of terrorism, the Foreign Secretary said after meeting Syrian counterpart Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and president Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Mr Lammy is also due to travel to Kuwait, where he is expected to announce a new partnership with the Gulf monarchy.
