Series  of meetings for transitional government in New York, with several issues topping talks

The movements of the Syrian transitional government delegation, headed by Ahmad al-Sharaa, in New York included a series of meetings and discussions addressing Syria’s relations with Arab, regional, and international countries, as well as political, security, and economic issues, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, according to Syrian media reports.

Al-Sharaa met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeidi, in the presence of Foreign and Expatriates Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. The two sides discussed Syrian-Iraqi relations and ways to strengthen political and security coordination between the two countries, expand economic and trade cooperation, and address a number of issues of mutual interest.

Al-Sharaa also met with French President Emmanuel Macron. The meeting addressed relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen them, as well as developments in the regional and international situations and an exchange of views on issues of mutual interest, according to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian transitional government.

Al-Sharaa also met with US Special Presidential Envoy to Syria and Iraq Thomas Barrack, in the presence of al-Shaibani, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York. SANA did not provide further details about the meeting.

Al-Sharaa also participated in a meeting held by US President Donald Trump with a number of Arab and Islamic leaders as part of the UN General Assembly meetings.

During a discussion session organised by the Atlantic Council in New York on the future of Syria, al-Sharaa said that “Israel has carried out repeated attacks on Syrian territory and occupies part of it since the fall of the previous regime,” noting that Damascus had chosen “the diplomatic path and resorted to dialogue with the assistance of friendly countries.”

On the economic front, al-Sharaa said that Syria is working “to secure a safe corridor for Iraqi oil exports through Syrian ports,” noting “the existence of a strategic project to construct an oil pipeline from Iraqi oil fields to Syrian ports, which would facilitate export operations and avoid passage through the Strait of Hormuz.”

Regarding the presence of foreign military forces, al-Sharaa said that “the Syrian approach is to clear Syria of foreign bases, preserve national unity, and cooperate with various countries in a manner that enables the Syrian state to preserve its territorial integrity and independence.”

He explained that any military presence on Syrian territory must have a legal framework approved by the Syrian parliament and safeguard the rights of the Syrian state, adding that Syria does not need foreign military bases in the near term.

Regarding the Russian bases, al-Sharaa said that “dialogue with Russia resulted in an agreement to reduce the number of bases to two, with an agreement to be reached on converting them into training bases for the Syrian army.”

Regarding the Turkish military presence, al-Sharaa said that “Turkish forces entered Syria under certain circumstances related to Turkish border security, at a time when the region was witnessing conflicts and wars,” noting “a reduction in the number of bases in northwestern Syria” and the continuation of discussions with the Turkish side regarding the legal status of this presence.

Regarding relations with the federal Kurdistan Region of Iraq, al-Sharaa described relations as “very good,” pointing to shared economic, political, and security interests. He said that relations with “President Masoud Barzani are excellent,” highlighting the region’s contribution to stabilising the situation in Syria.

Regarding relations with Israel, al-Sharaa said that “determining Israeli policies toward Syria based on what happened in Gaza is a misguided approach,” noting that exaggerated fears lead to greater risks and that maintaining security requires respecting the security of others.

He added that “Damascus is cooperating with several countries with the aim of strengthening the Syrian state, including in the areas of training and the exchange of expertise.”

On domestic affairs, he said that “the transitional period cannot be used as a measure of the continuity of the Syrian state,” noting that during the five-year period, work would focus on “establishing the concept of respect for the law and preventing the concentration of power in the hands of one person, so that state institutions exercise their roles in accordance with the law and constitution.”

Speaking about his assumption of the presidency, al-Sharaa said that “his goal over the past years had been to serve the people, lift injustice from them, and achieve economic development,” noting that, according to him, the presidency had not been the primary objective over the past 20 years.

Sh-S

ANHA