Sharaa reaffirms rejection of divided Syria, calls for implementing Israel armistice agreement

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has reiterated his rejection of any attempts to partition the war-torn country, as he called for an armistice agreement with Israel to be respected.

Sharaa and his foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, met in Istanbul on Saturday with newly-appointed US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, who was Washington’s ambassador to Turkey.

According to a statement by the Syrian presidency on Sunday, the two sides discussed a range of issues including the US lifting sanctions on Syria, the Syrian government’s readiness to help the US locate and return Americans who went missing in the war-ravaged country, the country's strained relations with Israel and more.

During his trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this month, US President Donald Trump made a surprise announcement that he was lifting all sanctions on Syria to help the country rebuild after 14 years of conflict. The European Union also lifted its sanctions on the country.

These sanctions were mainly imposed on the former regime of Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted from power by a rebel offensive in December. Syria has also been on Washington’s State Sponsor of Terrorism list since 1979.

"As part of the Syrian government's efforts to rebuild strategic relations with the United States, President Sharaa stressed during the meeting that these sanctions continue to impose a heavy burden on the Syrian people and hinder economic recovery efforts," a statement from the presidency said.

The two sides also discussed ways to support foreign investment in Syria, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

"The Syrian delegation expressed its readiness to provide the necessary facilities to attract investors and contribute to reconstruction efforts, while emphasising the provision of a stable and secure environment," the statement said.

While no accurate figures exist, is it estimated that reconstructing Syria will require hundreds of billions of dollars. Some estimates put the cost at $1 trillion.

Sharaa and his Islamist-led government also face the arduous task of reuniting the fractured nation and disarming all militant groups – something several factions have refused to do.

Some minority groups who bear arms have expressed concern and distrust at the new administration in Damascus following a wave of sectarian killings this year that targeted the Alawite and Druze communities.

The massacres prompted a global outcry, and countries have called on Sharaa to put an end to extremist elements threatening religious and ethnic minorities.

Sharaa reaffirmed his rejection of any attempts to divide the country and reiterated his government’s commitment to the unity and sovereignty of Syria, the presidency statement said.

He also emphasised the importance of implementing the 1974 Agreement of Disengagement between Syria and Israel to ensure stability in the country's south.

Immediately after the fall of the Assad regime, Israeli forces crossed the buffer zone that separates the occupied Golan Heights from the rest of Syria for the first time in five decades.

The Israeli army has since captured swathes of Syrian territory, reportedly setting up bases. It has launched dozens of air strikes across the country, decimating what remained of Syria's military capabilities.

Israel claims it seeks to create a buffer zone to protect its borders extremist groups, with the rise of an Islamist-led government in Damascus. It also claims its deployment in the area is to protect the Druze, which is seen as cynical attempt by Tel Aviv to divide the country along ethnic and religious lines.

Reports this month said there were direct talks between Israeli and Syrian officials. Azerbaijan, an ally of Israel, hosted delegations from the two countries in a meeting mediated by the United Arab Emirates.

Citing unnamed sources, Israel's i24NEWS also reported this week that a senior Israeli Druze delegation will meet with representatives of Syria's government in the UAE.

Trump had told Sharaa, which he met in Saudi Arabia, that he hoped Syria would join the Abraham Accords and normalise ties with Israel.

The belongings of Eli Cohen, a famed Israeli spy who was executed by the Syrian government in 1965, were handed over to Israel recently, seen as an indirect gesture by Sharaa as he seeks to cool tensions and build Trump's confidence.

Sharaa and Shaibani’s meeting with Barrak also touched on completely getting rid of chemical weapons in Syria, joint security cooperation to address domestic and regional challenges including the threat of the Islamic State group, as well as Syria’s efforts to fully integrate the US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces into the Damascus government.