Diplomats Push for Inclusive Syrian Government Amid Regional Tensions

Top diplomats from the United States, Turkey, the European Union, and several Arab nations met in Aqaba, Jordan, on Saturday to discuss the future of Syria following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that the meeting produced a joint communique outlining key principles for Syria's future government, which includes respect for minority rights, the establishment of an inclusive and representative government, and the prevention of Syria becoming a safe haven for terrorist groups.

The diplomatic push comes as regional and global powers vie for influence over the next government, with Assad having fled Syria following a rebel offensive. In the wake of these developments, Israel continued to strike Syrian army targets over the weekend, aiming to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of rebel groups or Hezbollah, according to Syrian reports.

Blinken highlighted that the rebels, including groups such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), agreed on the importance of forming a government that would respect minority rights. He also noted that the US has directly contacted rebel leaders, urging them to assist in locating US journalist Austin Tice, who has been missing in Syria since 2012.

Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani, head of HTS, addressed Syria’s future, stating that Israel no longer has a valid reason for intervening in the country following the departure of Iranian forces. Meanwhile, Egypt and Jordan called for Israel to pull out of the demilitarized zone along the Syrian border, stressing the need for regional stability.

The discussions, which involved foreign ministers from various Arab nations and international diplomats, emphasized the importance of a peaceful political transition in Syria, including the drafting of a new constitution and the holding of elections. However, significant differences remain, particularly regarding the presence of Kurdish forces in Syria and the future role of Turkish-backed rebels in the conflict.