UN envoy to Syria calls for lifting of sanctions

The United Nations envoy for Syria has called for a swift end to Western sanctions following the ouster of President Bashar Al Assad. The Syrian government has been under severe sanctions from the United States, the European Union and other countries for years as a result of Assad's brutal response to peaceful anti-government protests in 2011 that later spiraled into a civil war. Meanwhile, a week after the fall of the Assad regime, Syrians are returning to schools and universities with a sense of freedom.

UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen called for the swift lifting of Western sanctions against Syria.

"We hope to see a quick end to the sanctions so that we can really see a plan for rebuilding Syria," he said.

Mr. Pedersen traveled to Damascus to meet with officials from the new interim government created by former rebel forces that toppled Assad, led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Officials in Washington say President Biden's administration is considering removing the "terrorist organization" designation from the group. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday that officials have been in direct contact with the group.

Over the weekend, Mr. Blinken attended a meeting in Jordan, where he said he secured the support of 12 foreign ministers from the Arab League, Turkey and senior officials from the European Union and the United Nations on how Syria should be run after decades of rule by the Assad family.

 

They agreed that the new government must respect the rights of minorities and women, prevent terrorist groups from gaining ground, ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need, and destroy any remaining Assad-era chemical weapons. Secretary Blinken has pledged that the United States will recognize and support a new government that meets these principles.

Meanwhile, a week after the fall of the regime of former Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, Syrians are returning to schools and universities with a sense of freedom. The transition has been peaceful. Reports of reprisals and sectarian violence have been minimal. The looting and destruction were quickly contained.

Officials said most schools are reopening across the country on Sunday, the first day of the workweek in most Arab countries. However, some parents are not sending their children to class due to uncertainty.

"Today is the first day of school a week after the overthrow of the regime. Today, we are in free Syria. Syria is always looking for the good. The Syrians are trying to build this country for the children and for others," says Maysoun al-Ali, director of the "Nahla Zaidan" school in Damascus.

The new leaders face a massive challenge to rebuild Syria after 13 years of civil war that killed hundreds of thousands of people.

The economy is in ruins, poverty is widespread, inflation and unemployment are high. Corruption is rampant in daily life. Yet young people see light at the end of the tunnel.

"A week after the fall of the Assad government, we are back at university. The situation is calmer and the professors are encouraging us more," says Ribah al-Ahmad, a student and resident of Damascus.

After five decades of Assad family rule, many residents are now hoping for help from outside.

"A week after the fall of tyranny, thank God the country is safe. Life is going on normally. Thank God the embassies have started to open," says Mohammad al-Homsi, a resident of Damascus.

Syria's interim government will rule until March, but has not yet made clear the process by which a new permanent administration will replace it./ VOA