Germany International Syria conference begins in Riyadh

SDA

12.1.2025 - 11:25

Flags of the participating countries in Riyadh. Photo: Andreas Hoenig/dpa
Flags of the participating countries in Riyadh. Photo: Andreas Hoenig/dpa
Keystone

An international conference on the situation in Syria following the fall of long-term ruler Bashar al-Assad has begun in Saudi Arabia. Initially, the foreign ministers of Arab states and Turkey met, as reported by the state television station Al-Ekhbarija. According to the state agency SPA, the foreign ministers of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey were among those who attended.

Keystone-SDA

This was to be followed by a larger meeting with top Western diplomats. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) traveled to the meeting, and according to the broadcaster Al-Arabija, a high-ranking US representative, UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas were also expected to attend.

An alliance led by the Islamist group Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) toppled Assad, who left the country on December 8, following a lightning offensive. HTS wants to lead the country with a transitional government. At the same time, militias in other parts of the country continue to fight for control.