G7 countries ready to work with an 'inclusive' Syrian government

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Leaders of the G7 countries on Thursday offered to work with a new government in Syria if it rules on a “credible, inclusive, and nonsectarian” basis and respects women, minorities and human rights.

A joint statement by the US, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan offered support to a “Syrian-led and Syrian-owned” process to install a new government after the fall of Assad's regime to rebel forces. Militant group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, designated as a terrorist organisation by the US in 2014, has put an interim administration in place until March.

The G7 hopes that anyone “seeking a role in governing Syria” will show they are committed to the rights of all Syrians and ensure the state does not collapse, the leaders said. It is also hoped they will rebuild the country and create “conditions for safe and dignified voluntary return to Syria” by refugees.

A transfer of power should lead to “credible, inclusive, and nonsectarian governance” that ensures respect for the rule of law, women's rights and religious and ethnic minorities, they said. “The G7 will work with and fully support a future Syrian government that abides by those standards and results from that process.”

Syria's relations with the West stalled during its civil war, although Italy appointed an ambassador in July as the EU inched towards the restoration of ties. On Thursday, the G7 said the Assad regime should be “held accountable for its crimes”.

The US and allies told Afghanistan's Taliban rulers after their 2021 capture of Kabul that “any engagement” would depend on their human rights and counter-terrorism record. More than three years after the statement, no western country has recognised the Taliban.

“After decades of atrocities committed by the Assad regime, we stand with the people of Syria. We denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms,” the G7 statement said. It added Syria's territorial integrity and national unity should be upheld, after years of different groups controlling parts of the country.

Hayat Tahrir, a former affiliate of Al Qaeda is currently listed as a terrorist group by the US, UK and EU, who are considering their approach to dealing with the group. Washington said there was no legal barrier to merely communicating with the militants.

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European countries hosting Syrian refugees have also paused new asylum claims as they consider whether the country can now be declared “safe”. Any move to return failed asylum seekers to Syria would probably require some degree of co-operation with the government in Damascus.

“We need to wait a few more days to see where Syria is heading now,” German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said. “What is the situation? What about the protection of minorities? What about the protection of the people? And then, of course, there could be repatriation.”

Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the German leader spoke to Jordan's King Abdullah II on Thursday and agreed on supporting a political process. Both said protecting religious and ethnic minorities was of “high importance”, according to a German statement.