SYRIA is confident of a positive and efficient future, one that will live up to the aspiration of its people, a top Syrian official said yesterday during a major summit held at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain in Manama.
During the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Manama Dialogue 2025, Syrian Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Dr Asaad Al Shaibani stated that the country has transformed and the government is working on a new era.
He spoke during the Fifth Plenary Session titled ‘Managing Political Transitions in the Levant’, where he was joined by UAE Diplomatic Adviser to the President Dr Anwar Gargash, Palestinian Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Dr Varsen Shahin and Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister Plenipotentiary Dr Manal Radwan.
“Syria has transformed,” said Dr Al Shaibani. “And with that, we are working on transforming the image of the country.
“We aimed to free the people, empower them and assist them.
“There were several challenges that we faced in a short period, which we anticipated weeks before toppling the Assad regime. However, in our first month alone, we managed to achieve almost 90 per cent of what we promised we would do to help our people, including a national dialogue and a constitutional declaration.
“Now are looking for the opportunity to rebuild the country, attract foreign investment and deal with consequences that changed the face of our country.”
In order to achieve the future it desires, Dr Al Shaibani outlined that Syria has established a vision based on three principles – stability, balanced diplomacy and justice.
“Syria has more or less achieved a level of stability, but we can do more,” he said. “We will help other countries in the region fight the scourge of drugs to protect our people.
“We are a diverse country, and we also want to establish a state that is open, co-operative and peaceful, no matter what someone’s religion or ethnic origin is.
“Finally, more than 250,000 Syrians are still missing, and we will work hard to find them, and we have also established a transitional committee to help everybody in the country to get justice.”
Meanwhile, Gaza and Palestine remained a hot topic among the speakers, including Dr Gargash, who insisted that the ceasefire remains fragile and more work needs to be done.
“We are at the threshold of a new chapter, but history has shown us that the end of war always has aftershocks,” he said. “Without reconciliation and trust building, agreements will remain fragile.
“A two-state solution, where Palestinians live side-by-side with Israelis in peace, is the cornerstone of the Middle East.
“Even amidst political differences, the UAE is always looking to build bridges and make tangible improvements in the lives of the people in the region.”
As for Dr Shahin, she emphasised the need for a Palestinian-led nation and urged the international community to protect the rights of the people in Gaza and the West Bank.
“The recognition of the UK, Australia, Canada and other nations at the UN General Assembly in New York is a major step forward.
“It is a step towards peace and we also welcome the efforts of US President Donald Trump in brokering the ceasefire. However, more work needs to be done, including making sure that Israel withdraws completely from Gaza.
“We agreed on transitional mechanism and stabilisation forces, but we did not agree on them replacing Palestinian forces. Let the Palestinians lead the Palestinians.
“The world’s support for Palestine must not be conditional and the Palestinian people must be high on the international agenda.”
Finally, Dr Radwan strongly condemned the attack on civilians and reiterated Saudi Arabia’s desire for regional peace and prosperity.
“Saudi has repeatedly condemned the assault on civilians on October 7, but that does not justify the attack on Palestinian civilians ever since October 8,” she said. “Just days ago, a 15-year-old Palestinian girl was beaten unconscious by a settler while soldiers just stood by and watched.
“The lives of the Palestinian people continue to be plagued by indignity and impunity.
“It is also shocking to see the normalisation of hate speech against Palestinians and Arabs in general, the torture of prisoners including children, and the degradation that they face.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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