Saudi Arabia called for the lifting of sanctions on Syria on Sunday, in a major diplomatic boost for the Hayat Tahrir Al Sham government in Damascus.
Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told a meeting in Riyadh of western and Arab powers about the “importance of lifting unilateral and UN sanctions imposed on Syria”.
“Their continuation will hinder the ambitions of the Syrian people in achieving development and reconstruction,” Prince Faisal said after the meeting, the largest gathering to discuss Syria's future since HTS swept through Syria and took power from former president Bashar Al Assad in December.
Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani represented Syria at the talks.
Participants praised “positive steps” taken by the new administration to preserve state institutions and consult with other countries to counter terrorism and “start an inclusive political transition”, Prince Faisal said.
“We affirmed the need to continue giving all aspects of humanitarian and economic support to the Syrian state and achieve stability and reconstruction,” he said.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said the expanded ministerial meeting showed the “importance of collective regional, international and UN efforts to support the Syrian people at all levels, meeting their legitimate aspirations for lasting security, stability, prosperity and development”.
He said that the UAE supported Syria's independence and sovereignty, adding unity and cohesion among the Syrian people was important to “build a unified, stable, and secure Syria free from terrorism and exclusion”.
The fall of the Assad regime has upended international relations across the Middle East, curbing Iranian expansion and weakening Russian influence. Arab countries had ended hostilities with Mr Al Assad in the three years before his fall while European countries had started to engage with him in the hope of sending back Syrian refugees.
Over the past month in Damascus, HTS leader Ahmad Al Shara has installed his officials at the top of government and in senior line manager positions within the bureaucracy, as well as governor positions. He has said a transition of government could take years, without specifying the shape of the political system to come.
He has repeatedly called for sanctions to be lifted in order for Syria to rebuild.
Syrians sing at a concert by recently returned singer Wasfi Maasrani in Damascus. AP
Since the civil war in 2011, sanctions have been imposed on the Assad regime, as well as on HTS by the US and European countries. Western nations and the UN Security Council regard HTS, which was previously linked to Al Qaeda, as a terrorist organisation.
Now the EU is set to discuss the possibility of lifting sanctions on Syria in a meeting in Brussels at the end of January, according to Kaja Kallas, the bloc's high representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
“We will work to ensure that we can indeed make a decision on this issue at that time,” she said in Riyadh.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said sanctions should be retained on remnants of the Assad regime who had “committed serious crimes” during the war.
“Syrians now need a quick dividend from the transition of power,” she said in Riyadh.
Washington has temporarily lifted some sanctions on the Syrian government that were first imposed in the 1970s over former leader Hafez Al Assad's support for militant groups, and stiffened considerably after Syrian authorities killed thousands of civilians in a crackdown on a pro-democracy revolt in 2011.
In 2019, Congress passed the Caesar Act, which elevated sanctions on Syria to a new level, imposing bans on dealing with the Syrian regime and its associates across entire economic sectors. It was named after a photographer code-named Caesar who defected from Mr Al Assad's military and provided photos made public in 2014 that documented the killing of thousands of political prisoners.
For the next six months, the US will grant waivers to aid groups and companies to provide parts and services for Syria's water and electricity sectors, as well for sending humanitarian relief.
Under-Secretary of State Jon Bass represented Washington at the Riyadh meeting, which included Sheikh Abdullah, plus senior officials from Bahrain, France, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and Turkey, which has close ties with HTS.
Last week, Mr Bass met Turkish officials in Ankara to discuss a “peaceful, inclusive” transition and “preventing Syria from being used as a base for terrorism”, the State Department said.
Two senior US diplomats met Mr Al Shara in Damascus last week. They relayed American concerns about his inclusion of foreign fighters in the nation's new security force. A source briefed on the meeting told The National that Mr Al Shara said their integration was necessary to preserve stability.
Several days after Mr Al Assad's fall in December, the same nations that met in Riyadh issued a declaration demanding that “Syrian territory does not pose a threat to any country, or a shelter to terrorists”.
The coming period would be critical for instilling pluralism and respect for human rights in Syria, they said, after 54 years of Assad family rule.
Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy, among those attending the Riyadh meeting on Sunday, said world powers “must come together to stand behind the people of Syria as they build a democratic future and a diverse and modern country”.
“Syrians deserve a bright and prosperous future,” he said.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champioons League semi-final:
First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2
Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)
Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)
Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
Travel distance: Limited
Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
Duration: Can linger for days
Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Jewel of the Expo 2020
252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome
13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
World’s largest 360-degree projection surface
Global institutions: BlackRock and KKR
US-based BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager, with $5.98 trillion of assets under management as of the end of last year. The New York firm run by Larry Fink provides investment management services to institutional clients and retail investors including governments, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, banks and charitable foundations around the world, through a variety of investment vehicles.
KKR & Co, or Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, is a global private equity and investment firm with around $195 billion of assets as of the end of last year. The New York-based firm, founded by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, invests in multiple alternative asset classes through direct or fund-to-fund investments with a particular focus on infrastructure, technology, healthcare, real estate and energy.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Scoreline
Switzerland 5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
The biog
Name: Sarah Al Senaani
Age: 35
Martial status: Married with three children - aged 8, 6 and 2
Education: Masters of arts in cultural communication and tourism
Favourite movie: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Favourite hobbies: Art and horseback ridding
Occupation: Communication specialist at a government agency and the owner of Atelier
Favourite cuisine: Definitely Emirati - harees is my favourite dish
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
