Syria, Jordan, and US agree on roadmap for Sweida 

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shibani received Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, along with US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack, in Damascus for high-level talks. (SANA)
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Updated 16 September 2025
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Syria, Jordan, and US agree on roadmap for Sweida 

  • The Sweida roadmap agreement includes provisions for holding perpetrators of violence accountable and initiating a national reconciliation process

DUBAI: Syria announced on Tuesday that it has reached an agreement on a roadmap for the southern governorate of Sweida with the support of Jordan and the United States, in what officials described as a historic step toward stability and reconciliation.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shibani received Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, along with US Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack, in Damascus for high-level talks. The discussions focused on the signing of an agreement that outlines measures for security, accountability, and national reconciliation in Sweida, which has recently witnessed unrest.

Shibani stressed that the roadmap “serves the interest of all Syrians” and includes provisions to hold those responsible for violence accountable while launching a wider reconciliation process.

“We want to stabilize southern Syria,” Shibani said. 

Jordan’s foreign minsiter emphasized the deep security ties between Damascus and Amman.

“The security of southern Syria is the security of Jordan. Its stability is essential to ours,” Safadi said. He also condemned recent Israeli strikes in Syrian territory and described the events in Sweida as tragic, insisting they must be overcome through cooperation.

US envoy, Thomas Barrack, called the agreement “historic” and affirming Washington’s commitment to assist Damascus.

“America is committed to nurturing, supporting, and assisting the Syrian government,” Barrack said, adding that Syria is now led by a “young government seeking prosperity.”


Presidents of UAE and European Commission discuss negotiations for free-trade deal

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Presidents of UAE and European Commission discuss negotiations for free-trade deal

  • Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Ursula von der Leyen say talks represent key step toward new opportunities for collaboration
  • They also review regional and international issues, including latest developments in Middle East and Ukraine

LONDON: The UAE’s president, Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, discussed cooperation on Monday, in particular Emirati-EU negotiations for a strategic partnership agreement.

They emphasized the importance of this for the enhancement of bilateral relations in a number of key areas, and to establish a comprehensive framework for working together, the Emirates News Agency reported.

The officials stressed that negotiations for a UAE-EU free-trade agreement represent a key step toward opening up new opportunities for collaboration.

During their telephone conversation they also reviewed regional and international issues including the latest developments in the Middle East, with a focus on how the humanitarian situation in Gaza might be improved to ensure sustained deliveries of aid to the population there.

They highlighted as an important step toward regional stability the need to establish a clear path to a just peace in the conflict between Israel and Palestine through a two-state solution, the agency added.

The presidents also discussed the latest developments in Ukraine and ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict there.

Sheikh Mohammed reiterated the support of his nation for all efforts to resolve crises through dialogue and political engagement, in alignment with its commitment to the promotion of peace and development globally.