London, SANA- The British government announced Saturday that Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited Syria to renew diplomatic relations between the two countries, pledging 94.5 million pounds ($129 million) in support.
“Eight months on from the collapse of the Assad regime, the UK has officially re-established diplomatic relations with the Syrian Government following the Foreign Secretary’s visit to Damascus on Saturday,” the government said in a statement on its website.
The statement added: “UK support is set to continue, with the additional £94.5 million package announced today, which will provide urgent humanitarian aid to Syrians, support Syria’s longer-term recovery through education and livelihoods, and support countries hosting Syrian refugees in the region.”
The British government statement continued: “The fall of Assad presents an opportunity for the new Syrian government to fully declare and destroy Assad’s chemical weapons program. As part of the visit, the UK has committed an additional £2 million this financial year to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to support their vital work addressing the horrific legacy of Assad’s chemical weapons in Syria. The UK contribution will support the OPCW’s operational requirements in Syria as they help the Syrian Government fulfil their commitments to eliminate Assad’s chemical weapons once and for all.”
As the first UK Minister to visit in 14 years, the Foreign Secretary emphasised that the UK will support the Syrian Government to deliver its commitments to build a more secure and prosperous future for Syrians, increasing security in the wider region and the UK, he said: “As the first British minister to visit Syria since the fall of the brutal Assad regime, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable progress Syrians have made in rebuilding their lives and their country.”
Lammy pointed out that a stable Syria is in the UK’s interest, as it reduces the risk of illegal immigration, ensures the destruction of chemical weapons, combats the threat of terrorism, and implements the government’s plan for change.
Nawal / Fedaa
