Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Qatar resumes diplomatic ties with Syria

POSTED ON December 16, 2024 •   Business      BY Benedicta Bassey
Members of the Syrian community wave Syrian flags . Photo: AFP

QATAR —  Qatar’s embassy to Syria is to resume operations on Tuesday, the Gulf emirate announced on Sunday as its diplomats visited the country and met with its transitional government following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the foreign ministry, stated that, “Qatar announces the resumption of the work of its embassy in the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic starting the day after tomorrow, Tuesday."

It also names a new head of mission to Syria, Khalifa Abdullah Al Mahmoud Al-Sharif.

Doha closed its embassy in Damascus and recalled its ambassador in July 2011, early in the uprising against the Assad government that turned into a civil war.

Unlike other Arab countries, Qatar never restored diplomatic ties with Syria under Assad, who was toppled by the 11-day rebel advance that swept through major cities and then the capital Damascus.

Doha said the return after the 13-year hiatus was “an expression of the State of Qatar’s principled stand with the Syrian people’s revolution” as well as a “categorical rejection of all the repressive policies of the regime” of Assad.

Earlier, foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari told the official Qatar News Agency that a Qatari delegation was in Syria and had met with officials in the transitional government.

The delegation “arrived in Damascus to complete the necessary procedures for the opening of the State of Qatar’s embassy”, Ansari said.

In its meetings, “the delegation reaffirmed the State of Qatar’s full commitment to supporting the Syrian people… following the success of their revolution,” the spokesman added.

Ansari said the Qatari delegation had also “discussed with the Syrian sideways to facilitate the flow of Qatari humanitarian aid and assessed the needs of the Syrian brothers during this important phase”.

This week, an official briefed on developments said Qatar had “established the first channel of communication” with the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which spearheaded the ouster of the former government.

The official, who requested anonymity, added the “focus of the communication with HTS and others is on the need to maintain calm and preserve Syria’s public institutions during the transition period”.

Other governments that opposed Assad’s rule, including Turkey and the United States, have said they too had established contacts with HTS.

READ ALSO
CBN adjusts ATM transaction fees amid rising operational costs
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 12, 2025 0

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed a significant adjustment to its Automated Teller Mach...

READ ALSO
NCS suspends 4% FOB levy on imports
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 11, 2025 0

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the temporary halt of the contentious 4% Free-on-Boa...

READ ALSO
Domestic refiners challenge crude producers over lack of allocations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 10, 2025 0

Access to crude oil for domestic refiners, including modular refineries, has remained nearly nonexis...

READ ALSO
NECA raises alarm over 4% customs administration charge
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 10, 2025 0

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has expressed its worries regarding the...

READ ALSO
IFC commits $50m to transform LFZ into Industrial Hub
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 8, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has declared a $50 million equity inves...

READ ALSO
Shettima launches DMO supervisory board to enhance fiscal, monetary policy coordination
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 6, 2025 0

Vice President Kashim Shettima has launched the Supervisory Board of the Debt Management Office (DMO...

READ ALSO
NCS introduces 4% fee on import FOB value
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 6, 2025 0

The Nigeria Customs Service has introduced a 4 percent fee based on the free-on-board (FOB) value of...

READ ALSO
NCS introduces 4% fee on import FOB value
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 6, 2025 0

The Nigeria Customs Service has introduced a 4 percent fee based on the free-on-board (FOB) value of...

OUR CHANNELS:

Sagna urges Arsenal to stay focused amid Liverpool title chase
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 11, 2025 0

With Arsenal behind Liverpool in the Premier League title contention, former defender Bacary Sagna h...


TikToker's legal team issues 24-hour ultimatum to RCCG, Adeboye  over arrest statement
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 11, 2025 0

In an unexpected development, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and its General Overseer,...


Penalty points system activates for traffic offenders- FRSC
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 11, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), corps marshal, Shehu Mohammed, has orde...


Businessman kills friend in Ikoyi-police
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 10, 2025 0

LAGOS,Nigeria - The Nigerian Police have apprehended a murder suspect in Lagos. The individual, iden...


LASG to expand Red Line Rail service to enhance commuting efficiency
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 10, 2025 0

LAGOS, NIgeria- Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Sunday, made a significant announcemen...


Domestic refiners challenge crude producers over lack of allocations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 10, 2025 0

Access to crude oil for domestic refiners, including modular refineries, has remained nearly nonexis...


Adamawa Govt. refutes dismissed REC's claims on 2023 election results
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 10, 2025 0

The Adamawa State Government has refuted the recent assertion made by the dismissed Resident Elector...


NECA raises alarm over 4% customs administration charge
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 10, 2025 0

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has expressed its worries regarding the...


Nasarawa University set for indefinite strike on Monday
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 10, 2025 0

Academic and non-academic personnel of higher education institutions in Nasarawa State, operating un...


UNICEF Urges Kano Govt. to intensify polio combat, routine immunisation efforts
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 12, 2025 0

KADUNA, Nigeria (NAN) - The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged the Kano state g...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu