Headlines
UK resets ties with Syria as foreign minister visits Damascus
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on July 5, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Quick Summary
UK renews diplomatic ties with Syria, pledging £94.5m in aid. Minister Lammy's visit marks a shift in foreign policy post-civil war.
UK Strengthens Diplomatic Relations with Syria Following Minister's Visit
By Muvija M
LONDON (Reuters) -Britain said on Saturday it was reestablishing diplomatic relations with Syria after the country's years-long civil war, as foreign minister David Lammy visited its capital Damascus, pledging 94.5 million pounds ($129 million) in support.
"There is renewed hope for the Syrian people," Lammy said in a statement. "It is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians."
The West has been slowly resetting its approach to Syria since insurgent forces led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted Bashar al-Assad as president in December following more than 13 years of war.
Lammy's visit, the first by a British minister in 14 years, comes days after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order terminating a U.S. sanctions program on Syria, ending its isolation from the international financial system and helping it rebuild after the war.
Britain also eased its sanctions in April, unfreezing the assets of Syria's central bank and 23 other entities, including banks and oil companies to encourage investments, though it kept in place those targeting members of the former regime.
The financial support package announced on Saturday will provide urgent humanitarian aid to Syria and support the country's longer-term recovery through developing areas such as education, the government statement said.
A stable Syria will reduce the risk of "irregular migration", ensure chemical weapons are destroyed, and tackle the threat of terrorism, Lammy said, after he met with his Syrian counterpart Asaad Hassan al-Shibani and President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
In those meetings, Lammy reiterated the importance of an "inclusive and representative political transition" in Syria and offered Britain's continued support, the statement said.
Lammy is also due to travel to Kuwait, where regional security and strengthening bilateral relations will be top of the agenda. He is also expected to announce a new partnership with the Gulf monarchy to tackle the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
($1 = 0.7325 pounds)
(Reporting by Muvija M; Editing by Alison Williams and Jan Harvey)
Key Takeaways
- •UK reestablishes diplomatic relations with Syria.
- •Foreign Minister David Lammy visits Damascus.
- •£94.5 million pledged for Syria's recovery.
- •US ends sanctions, aiding Syria's financial reintegration.
- •Focus on political transition and humanitarian aid.
Frequently Asked Questions about UK resets ties with Syria as foreign minister visits Damascus
1What recent action did the UK take regarding Syria?
The UK announced it is reestablishing diplomatic relations with Syria after years of civil war, as Foreign Minister David Lammy visited Damascus.
2What did David Lammy say about the situation in Syria?
Lammy expressed that there is renewed hope for the Syrian people and emphasized the importance of supporting the new government to build a stable and prosperous country.
3How has the UK adjusted its sanctions on Syria?
Britain eased its sanctions in April, unfreezing the assets of Syria's central bank and 23 other entities, including banks and oil companies, to encourage investments.
4What is the significance of Lammy's visit to Syria?
This visit marks the first by a British minister in 14 years and signifies a shift in the West's approach to Syria following years of conflict.
5What are the expected outcomes of the UK's financial support package for Syria?
The financial support package aims to provide urgent humanitarian aid and support Syria's long-term recovery, particularly in education and governance.
