U.S. urges Syria to take steps as new era of relations begins
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The United States urged on Tuesday the Syrian transitional government to take concrete political and security steps as part of a new phase in relations between Washington and Damascus, following the recent suspension of U.S. sanctions.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Dorothy Shea, told the Security Council that Washington had entered a “new era” in its relationship with Syria after the “historic meeting” between U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara.
As part of this shift, the U.S. urged Syria to begin negotiations with Israel toward a non-aggression pact, with the eventual goal of resolving longstanding border disputes between the two countries.
The U.S. also called on the Syrian government to “present its plan and intentions with regard to the foreign fighters on Syrian soil.”
Shea stressed the importance of Damascus taking steps to ban and deport what she described as “Palestinian terror groups,” and to cooperate more closely with Washington in ongoing efforts to defeat the Islamic State (ISIS).
She further stated that the Syrian transitional government must submit a detailed plan to take responsibility for detention facilities holding ISIS fighters in the country’s northeast.
Shea emphasized the responsibility of countries of origin to repatriate their citizens currently held in northeastern Syria, including both detainees under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and displaced individuals residing in the Hawl and Roj camps.
She also praised Syria’s recent cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), adding, “We look forward to further progress.”