British National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara on Tuesday in the capital city of Damascus, following a visit from British Foreign Secretary David Lammy a month earlier.
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement indicating that President Ahmad al-Shara, in the presence of Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shabani and Chief of General Intelligence Hussein al-Salama, welcomed Jonathan Powell in Damascus.
The ministry explained that the two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations as well as the current regional and international situations. Al-Shara emphasized Syria’s openness to any genuine initiatives that would support the security and stability of the region, provided they respect Syria’s sovereignty and independent national decisions.
Recently, the newspaper “The National” reported on existing disagreements and reservations that are delaying the restoration of diplomatic representation between Syria and the UK. Despite the announcement of renewed diplomatic relations, embassies from both countries remain closed, amid criticisms of the UK’s hesitant approach and logistical and political concerns hindering implementation.
Despite the official announcement about restoring relations, the pace of practical steps has been slow, raising doubts about London’s intentions. Reports suggest that the UK has overly relied on back-channel communications and hesitated to engage directly with the Syrian government, while other nations are advancing more rapidly towards Damascus.
Almost a month after Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s declaration on resuming diplomatic ties with Syria, the Syrian embassy in London remains vacant and abandoned since 2012.
Although Lammy made his first official visit to Damascus and met with President Ahmad al-Shara, there has yet to be an exchange of ambassadors between the two countries, prompting questions regarding the UK’s genuine commitment to restoring relations.
Observers noted that the UK appears to be vacillating between its desire to influence Syria’s transitional phase and maintaining political distance from the new government.
While London was the first to lift sanctions against Syria in March, ahead of the European Union and the United States, it has since slowed its pace of engagement compared to France, which hosted President al-Shara in Paris last May.
Haid Haid, a researcher at Chatham House, remarked that “the relationship has not improved to the extent seen with other countries. We did not see Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shabani visiting London during his trip to Europe this year.”
Sources cited in “The National” mentioned that part of the delay is linked to logistical considerations, as the British embassy in Damascus, vacant since 2012, requires significant renovations, with previous operations being managed from Beirut.
According to former British ambassador to Syria, Jon Jenkins, there are also security factors at play, particularly the sectarian violence in Syria, including incidents in the coastal region in March and recent clashes in Sweida, which increases caution among Western capitals, especially Israel and the United States.
Moreover, “The National” highlighted that Anne Snow, the UK’s special representative in Syria, is considered a key figure in the Syrian dossier, as she was the first Western diplomat to visit Damascus after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
She is credited by many for persuading British ministers to lift sanctions, thanks to her extensive contacts in Damascus and regular visits that ensured continued dialogue.
Previously, Snow managed British aid programs in Northwestern Syria when the region was under the control of opposition factions, including Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, led by Ahmad al-Shara before its dissolution.