After the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad, intense diplomatic traffic to Syria was established. Western states are seeking to establish contact with the transitional government. Switzerland also sent a representative to Damascus.
19.12.2024, 11:5119.12.2024, 12:19
Christoph Bernet / ch media
With the flight of Bashar al-Assad to Russia ten days ago, the dictatorial regime of the Assad clan, which had dominated Syria for 54 years, suddenly collapsed. The new leaders in Damascus are the victorious rebels, whose most powerful faction is the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, considered by the UN to be a terrorist organization. In agreement with the UN, Switzerland has also sanctioned the HTS and its leader, known as Abu Mohammed al-Joulani (born Ahmed al-Chara), now the strong man of Damascus.
This is Abu Mohammed al-Joulani.Image: CNN screenshot
However, after this upheaval in Syria, the Federal Council undertook to establish diplomatic contacts. Like other Western governments, Switzerland sent a representative to Damascus:
“The Swiss ambassador based in Beirut, who is also responsible for Syria, met on Tuesday with representatives of the Syrian interim government in Damascus”
The response we received from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
In addition to speaking with government officials, Ambassador Marion Weichelt also met with members of other political groups, Syrian civil society and UN organizations.
Marion Weichelt, Swiss ambassador to Beirut.
No details on the content of the interviews or the identity of the interlocutors have been revealed, except:
“At the center of the discussions were Switzerland’s humanitarian commitment in Syria, human rights, minority rights, international law, as well as the need for an inclusive political process led by Syrians under UN supervision. »
The DFAE
Representatives of countries close to the victorious militias, such as Turkey and Qatar, went to Damascus immediately after the overthrow. But in recent days, Western delegations, including representatives from the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom and France, have also visited Syria. Unlike France, which hoisted the tricolor flag on Monday over its embassy closed since 2012, Switzerland is not currently considering reopening its embassyclosed for twelve years. Diplomatic and consular relations continue to be managed from the Swiss embassy in Beirut.
UN sanctions called into question
Since 2017, Switzerland has had a humanitarian office in the Syrian capital. This office remains operational, according to the DFA. It continues its humanitarian activities in cooperation with international partners, NGOs and multilateral agencies. This office is made up of five local employees and an office manager, a member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Corps (CSA). Currently, the latter is outside Syria, but a return to Damascus is planned as soon as possible.
The sanctions imposed by the UN on the new Syrian leaders also pose a problem for several countries, including Switzerland. Last Sunday, upon his arrival in Damascus, the UN special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, pleaded for a reassessment of the situation.
A possible lifting of sanctions should be decided by the UN Security Council, of which Switzerland is a member until the end of the year, or by one of its subsidiary bodies. To date, such a question has not been formally addressed, according to the FDFA. Any modification to the sanctions lists decided by the Security Council would apply automatically and immediately to Switzerland.
Update on the situation in Syria
Translated and adapted from German by Tanja Maeder
Related News :