The visit comes after the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, which ended more than 13 years of civil war and opened the door to renewed international engagement.

“After over a decade of conflict, there is renewed hope for the Syrian people,” Lammy said in a statement. “The UK is re-establishing diplomatic relations because it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians.”

The talks with Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani focused on bilateral relations, regional developments, and ways to strengthen cooperation, Syria’s presidency said in a statement.

Syria has seen a flurry of diplomatic activity since Islamist-led forces ousted Assad after more than 13 years of war.

The new authorities in Damascus have moved quickly to rebuild international ties and revive the country’s economy, which was battered by conflict and international sanctions. The UK began rolling back sanctions earlier this year.

In March, it lifted measures on 24 entities including Syria’s central bank. In April, it ended sanctions on the interior and defence ministries, state media outlets, intelligence agencies, and several sectors of the economy including financial services and energy.

In May, Syrian Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra held talks with a British delegation in Damascus, according to Syria’s defence ministry.

The Syrian government has welcomed the thaw in relations, saying international engagement is essential to reconstruction and long-term stability.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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