France Seeks to Lift Sanctions and Begin Reconstruction in Syria; Main Condition: Comprehensive Power Transfer

On Wednesday, December 19, the French government announced that it will host an international meeting on Syria next month. The aim of this meeting is to discuss the possibility of lifting international sanctions and assisting in the reconstruction of the country. Jean-Noël Barrot, the head of the French Foreign Ministry, emphasized that the lifting of sanctions and aid for Syria's reconstruction is conditional on 'clear political and security commitments from transitional authorities.' He added, 'Western powers have various tools to facilitate conditions, especially lifting sanctions and providing reconstruction aid, but all of this depends on a comprehensive power transfer in Syria, which is vital for the West.' On Tuesday, December 18, a group of French diplomats met with a member of the Syrian transitional team in Damascus. This meeting took place after 12 years of severed relations with Bashar al-Assad's government, during which the French flag was once again raised over its embassy in Damascus. Diplomats reported positive signs of a return to normal life in the Syrian capital. The January meeting in France is a continuation of a session held last week in Jordan with the participation of Turkey, Arab countries, and Western powers. Since severing relations with Bashar al-Assad's government in 2012, France has supported the secular exiled opposition and the Syrian Democratic Forces led by Kurds in northeastern Syria. In a historic development, armed forces opposing Bashar al-Assad, now recognized as the Syrian transitional government, took control of Damascus on Sunday, December 9, forcing Bashar al-Assad to resign after 13 years of war. Opposition coalition groups have proposed that a new Syrian constitution be drafted within six months and that the groundwork for the first democratic elections in the country be laid through a referendum.