The US Department of State said in a statement: “Anthony Blinken held a phone call with his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, and they discussed the latest developments in Syria.”
The statement said: “The two ministers discussed the ways to help the Syrian people seize the opportunity to build a better future while limiting the risks of growing instability, including from the Islamic State as well as the necessity of a Syrian-led comprehensive transitional process.”
The statement added: “All groups in Syria should respect human rights, uphold the international humanitarian law, and take all the necessary precautions to protect civilians, including minorities.”
The statement made it clear that “the international support should be provided to locate the missing persons and the unjustly detained under the regime of the deposed president Bashar al-Assad, including the US journalist Austin Tice.”
On December 20, A US delegation headed by Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf visited Damascus and held the first meeting with the new Syrian administration.
The delegation included the presidential envoy for hostage affairs, Roger Carstens, and the newly appointed advisor, Daniel Rubinstein, who was assigned to lead the US State Department’s efforts in Syria.
It is noteworthy that on December 8, 2024, the Syrian opposition took control of the capital, Damascus, with the withdrawal of Assad regime forces from public institutions and the streets, thus ending a 61-year era of Baath Party rule and 53 years of Assad family rule.
