New Syrian Leaders Pledge to Contribute to 'Regional Peace'

Syria’s new leadership has expressed its commitment to fostering "regional peace" following a meeting between leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and a US diplomatic delegation in Damascus. Al-Sharaa, who previously led the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, emphasized the country's aim to remain neutral and build strategic partnerships across the region.

"The Syrian people stand at an equal distance from all countries and parties in the region, rejecting any polarization," a statement from the new authorities declared. They also highlighted their vision of Syria as a promoter of regional stability and cooperation.

Al-Sharaa, previously sanctioned by the US under his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, held discussions with Barbara Leaf, the head of the Middle East division at the US State Department. Leaf described the meeting as "positive," announcing that the US had dropped its bounty for his arrest.

“I told him we were dropping the offer of a reward,” Leaf confirmed, adding that the Syrian leader had committed to ensuring that terrorist groups could no longer pose a threat within or beyond Syria. She described Al-Sharaa as "pragmatic" in his approach.

HTS, which now leads a coalition of armed groups in Damascus, claims to have distanced itself from its jihadist past and is working to rebuild the war-torn nation after nearly 14 years of civil conflict. Western nations, including France, Germany, and Britain, as well as the United Nations, have sent representatives to Damascus to establish dialogue with the new authorities.

Despite this progress, the West remains cautious about the potential for Syria’s fragmentation and the resurgence of the Islamic State, which continues to pose a lingering threat in the region. The international community is closely monitoring the actions of the new Syrian leadership in its efforts to restore stability and rebuild trust.