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LONDON DAILY ARCHIVE

Britain Re-Establishes Diplomatic Relations with Syria

Foreign Secretary David Lammy holds first high-level talks in 14 years

05 July 2025 · 23:29 UTC

Britain has formally restored diplomatic ties with Syria after a 14-year rupture, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy traveling to Damascus to meet President Bashar al-Assad and senior officials.

The visit signals a major policy shift aimed at engaging the Syrian government on humanitarian access, regional security, and counter-terrorism cooperation.

Critics have warned that re-engaging risks legitimizing Assad's rule despite ongoing concerns over human rights abuses during the country's long civil war.