Reopening of the Syrian Embassy in the United States
The Syrian flag was raised once again over the country’s embassy building in Washington on Friday, after more than a decade-long hiatus. The move coincided with the official visit of Asaad al-Shaibani, Syria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, to the United States. This trip is described as the first presence of a Syrian foreign minister in the American capital in the past twenty-five years.
According to news sources, al-Shibani will place on the agenda of his talks in Washington the lifting of the remaining sanctions against Damascus, as well as advancing the security agreement currently under negotiation with Israel.
CBS reported that preparations are underway for a possible meeting between Donald Trump, President of the United States, and Ahmad al-Shar‘ (Joulani), President of Syria, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Reports indicate that Joulani is expected to attend the 80th session of the General Assembly and, as the first Syrian president since Nur al-Din al-Atasi in 1967, deliver a speech at the UN podium.
