Jordan will host a meeting featuring top US, Syrian and Jordanian officials on Tuesday, exploring ways to support Syria’s post-war reconstruction, said the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The meeting comes as Damascus seeks international investment to revive its economy, which has been devastated by nearly 14 years of conflict.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani and US special envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack are expected to attend the talks, which will focus on facilitating reconstruction efforts and securing foreign investment for rebuilding Syria’s infrastructure and economy.
The meeting will “discuss the situation in Syria and ways to support the process of rebuilding Syria on foundations that ensure its security, stability, and sovereignty, meet the aspirations of its brotherly people, and preserve the rights of all Syrians,” the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said.
It also follows a meeting hosted by Amman last month “to address the consolidation of the ceasefire in the Sweida governorate in southern Syria”, it added.
Mr Barrack said on X that the commitment to Syria's reconstruction efforts “underscores our collective determination to move towards a future in which Syria and all of its people can live in peace, security, and prosperity”.
The meeting is seen as part of a broader diplomatic push to support Syria’s reconstruction efforts. Amman has increasingly engaged with Damascus as part of regional efforts to stabilise the situation and encourage international investment.
The announcement follows a significant development in Syria’s efforts to attract international funding.
Last week, Damascus signed 12 major agreements valued at $14 billion, including a $4 billion deal with Qatar’s UCC Holding to build a new airport and a $2 billion agreement with the UAE’s National Investment Corporation to construct a subway in Damascus.
These projects are seen as crucial for Syria's economic recovery and are expected to bring transformative changes to the country’s infrastructure.
Talal Al Hilali, head of the Syrian Investment Authority, said the projects “will extend across Syria and represent a qualitative shift in infrastructure and economic life”.
Mr Al Sharaa and Mr Barrack were present at the signing ceremony, reported the official Syrian news agency Sana.
Foreign investment in Syria was enabled by US President Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions imposed during Mr Al Assad's rule. The EU followed soon afterwards.
Syria’s economy remains severely damaged after years of conflict. Former president Bashar Al Assad was ousted in December.
The country is still grappling with the effects of sectarian violence, most recently in the southern province of Sweida, where nearly 1,500 people were killed in after fighting broke out between tribesmen and Druze militias.
The UN has estimated that Syria's postwar reconstruction will cost more than $400 billion.
Several agreements have already been announced. Last month, Saudi Arabia signed major investment and partnership deals with Syria, valued at $6.4 billion.
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
Hepatitis C is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This can occur through blood transfusions, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injecting drugs. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common.
People infected with hepatitis C experience few or no symptoms, meaning they can live with the virus for years without being diagnosed. This delay in treatment can increase the risk of significant liver damage.
There are an estimated 170 million carriers of Hepatitis C around the world.
The virus causes approximately 399,000 fatalities each year worldwide, according to WHO.
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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THE POPE'S ITINERARY
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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