"It’s very important that period of liberation gives people new hope for their return and for reconstruction"

“Anyone who obstructs lifting of sanctions on #Syria is an accomplice to those who committed this crime"

On Gov't personnel involved in killings: "Committed to prosecuting anyone"

#Sharaa

#Sharaa… has repeatedly vowed to unite all of #Syria's armed forces under one structure & govern the country, fractured by 14 years of civil war until #Assad's overthrow.

But incidents of sectarian violence, notably the killing of hundreds of pro-Assad #Alawites in March, have hardened fears among minority groups about the now-dominant #Islamists & sparked condemnation from global powers.

#geopolitics #MiddleEast

…#Israel has lobbied the #US to keep #Syria decentralised & isolated, framing its approach around suspicion of #Sharaa - who once headed a branch of #alQaeda before renouncing ties to the group in 2016.

The #UAE also has concerns about the #Islamist bent of Syria's new leaders, but Sharaa's meeting w/President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan #MbZ last month went very well…helping to assuage some of Abu Dhabi's concerns.

…The backchannel w/Israel was established days later….

#geopolitics