US confirms rejection of normalization with Assad

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Tuesday, the US renewed its rejection of normalizing ties with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad following the recent second visit the latter paid to the UAE.

This was stated by Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson, during a press briefing, stressing his country’s rejection of normalization “our stance against normalization remains unchanged…we will not normalize with the Assad regime.”

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad accompanied by his wife, Asma al-Assad, arrived on March 19 in the UAE in an official visit. Al-Assad was received by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, President of the UAE.

Patel stressed that the US administration will not encourage others over normalization amid “absent authentic and enduring progress towards a political resolution in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.”

He cited the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as confirming his countries commitment to providing needed assistance to Syrians impacted by the Feb. 6 earthquake.

Patel confirmed his country’s ongoing efforts “to urge anybody engaging with Damascus to consider sincerely and thoroughly how their engagements can help provide for Syrians in need, no matter where they live.”

He welcomed the International Donors’ Conference $7.5 billion pledge in support of those affected by the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey

The EU and international donors pledged €7 billion to support people affected by the devastating earthquakes of February in Syria and Turkey, the EU announced on Tuesday.

Reporting by Muhammad al-Qadi