Live Update
From the Liveblog of
Friday, December 20, 2024
New Syrian leaders say they want to contribute to ‘regional peace’

This handout image made available by the Telegram channel of the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) early on December 17, 2024 shows Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, head of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, receiving the director of the Middle East and North Africa department at Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (not pictured) in Damascus. (AFP Photo/Sana Telegram Channel)
Syria wants to contribute to “regional peace,” the country’s new authorities say in a statement after a meeting between leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and a US diplomatic delegation.
“The Syrian side indicated that the Syrian people stand at an equal distance from all countries and parties in the region and that Syria rejects any polarization,” the statement says.