The Biden administration says the United States will recognize and support a new Syrian government that renounces terrorism, destroys stockpiles of chemical weapons and protects the rights of minorities and women.
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration said Tuesday it will recognize and support a new Syrian government that renounces terrorism, destroys stockpiles of chemical weapons and protects the rights of minorities and women.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the US would work with groups in Syria and regional partners to ensure a smooth transition from the ousted government of President Bashar Assad. He was not specific about which groups the U.S. would work with, but the State Department has not ruled out talks with the main Syrian rebel group, despite it being designated a terrorist organization.
“The transition process and the new government must also implement clear commitments to fully respect the rights of minorities, facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid to all in need, prevent Syria from being used as a base for terrorism or posing a threat to its neighbors , and ensure that any stockpiles of chemical or biological weapons are secured and destroyed,” he said.
Blinken added that Syrians must decide their future and that other countries should “support an inclusive and transparent process” and not interfere.
“The United States will recognize and fully support any future Syrian government that emerges from this process,” Blinken said. “We stand ready to provide all appropriate support to all diverse communities and constituencies in Syria.”
The Assad government collapsed this weekend amid lightning strikes led by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Shamknown as HTS, which has been designated a “foreign terrorist organization” by the US since 2012.
The State Department says it will review that designation if the group takes steps to reverse the reasons for doing so, but says the list itself does not prohibit discussions between its members and U.S. officials.
Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Monday that U.S. officials “have the ability, when it is in our best interest, to legally communicate with a designated terrorist organization.”