On Tuesday, April 29, Asaad al-Shaibani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Syrian Interim Government, held meetings with senior U.S. State Department officials in New York, as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a clear roadmap from Washington for the easing of sanctions on Syria.
According to Reuters, which cited two informed sources on Wednesday, the meetings mark the first encounter between U.S. officials and al-Shaibani on American soil. The talks come in the wake of Damascus’s formal response to a list of conditions set by Washington earlier this month, seen as a potential step toward partial sanctions relief.
Al-Shaibani’s visit coincides with his participation in sessions of both the United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly. The visit was symbolically marked by the raising of the three-star Syrian flag, as the new official flag of Syria at the UN headquarters for the first time in 14 years since the war began.
While it remains unclear which U.S. officials met with al-Shaibani, one source told Reuters that he was expected to meet with Dorothy Shea, the acting U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
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U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed on Tuesday that “some representatives of the Syrian interim authorities are in New York to attend United Nations meetings,” but declined to comment on any scheduled meetings with American officials.
“We continue to evaluate our Syria policy with caution and will judge the interim authorities based on their actions,” Bruce said during a press briefing. She added, “We are not in the process of normalising diplomatic relations with Syria currently, and I cannot give you any advance information regarding any meetings”.
Earlier this week, Ambassador Dorothy Shea stated that the Syrian people “deserve transparent and accountable leadership.” In a message posted on X, Shea emphasised that the duty of Syria’s new leadership is to commit fully to a more peaceful and prosperous future following 54 years of destructive rule under the Assad regime.
She reiterated that Washington continues to monitor the conduct of the interim administration closely and holds Damascus responsible for shaping the next steps in the country. Shea also called on Syria’s new government to categorically reject terrorism, avoid aggression toward neighbouring states, and prevent foreign terrorist fighters from holding official positions. Additionally, she urged the interim authorities to stop Iranian influence from exploiting Syrian territory.
