Published: 17:28, December 29, 2024
Syrian de-facto leader meets Bahraini, Libyan delegations
By Xinhua

A handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) shows the country's new de-facto leader and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) chief Ahmed al-Sharaa (right), formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, welcoming Bahrain’s Sheikh Ahmed bin Abdulaziz al-Khalifa ahead of their meeting in Damascus on Dec 28, 2024. (PHOTO / SANA / AFP)

DAMASCUS - The de-facto head of Syria's new governing authority, Ahmed al-Sharaa, held separate talks with delegations from Bahrain and Libya on Saturday, signaling a continued push to solidify diplomatic ties and rebuild regional partnerships following the fall of the previous administration in early December.

According to Syrian official press releases, al-Sharaa welcomed Bahrain's Strategic Security Bureau chief, Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, and later met with a Libyan delegation led by Walid Ammar al-Lafi, Libya's minister of state for communication and political affairs.

While no detailed statements were released, the discussions reportedly focused on enhancing cooperation in security and other areas.

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"We discussed raising the level of relations and diplomatic representation," al-Lafi told reporters after meeting with al-Sharaa, according to Syria's radio station Sham FM.

"Syria is a crucial, central country, and it's our duty to maintain contact with its leadership. There are positive signs for closer collaboration, particularly on security matters," the Libyan official said.

Syria's de-facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa (right), shakes hands with Walid Ellafi, Libyan minister of state for communication and political affairs, in the presidential palace in Damascus, Syria, Dec 28, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

Meanwhile, the new Syrian administration announced that an amnesty period for former military members to surrender their weapons has expired.

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Those who failed to comply are now considered outlaws, local newspaper al-Watan reported. In a related operation, security forces in the coastal region of Sutmorkho apprehended a number of individuals tied to so-called "remnants of Assad militias," confiscating weapons and ammunition.

The interim Ministry of Interior said they would continue combing the area to maintain order.