Turkey has called for reconciliation between the Syrian government and opposition to ensure "lasting peace", drawing condemnation within the country.
Syria's conflict started after President Bashar Al Assad launched a deadly crackdown on protesters in 2011 that quickly descended into civil war. Many external actors, such as Turkey, Russia, Iran and the US, have been involved, further complicating the situation.
"We need to bring the opposition and regime together for reconciliation somehow, there will be no permanent peace otherwise," Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement meeting in Belgium.
Mr Cavusoglu met his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad and said that contact between intelligence services of Turkey and Syria had resumed.
Turkey's top diplomat said it was vital that Syria maintained a strong central government to "prevent the disintegration of the country" and this would only be possible by uniting various factions of the country.
In recent years, Syria's opposition, mostly based abroad, has seen their influence wane as Iran and Russia steadfastly supported the government.
UN-backed peace talks have for years failed to make any progress and special envoy Geir Pedersen has highlighted “great mistrust on all sides”. The last round of constitutional talks stalled in March.
The National has reached out for comments from Syria's opposition members.
Mr Cavusoglu said Russian President Vladimir Putin had offered Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a meeting with Mr Assad.
Mr Erdogan this month issued a warning that he would invade northern Syria to establish a buffer zone that pushes out Kurdish groups.
Ankara has linked some Kurdish groups in Syria to those waging an insurgency against the Turkish state. These include the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which were a crucial part of an international coalition in the fight against ISIS.
The US and Russia, meanwhile, have called for restraint from Turkey.
Since 2016, Turkey has conducted three incursions into northern Syria, seizing hundreds of kilometres of land and pushing 30km deep into the country, in operations targeting mainly the YPG.
Turkish control of towns, which lie on or close to a central stretch of the 911km border with Syria, could extend its military presence from near the Mediterranean coast along nearly three quarters of the frontier.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
MIDWAY
Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
3,000
The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
