US Diplomats Will Meet HTS Leaders In Damascus Syria

The condition of Syria's Damascus after the overthrow of the Assad/DOK X regime @SyriaCivivilDef

JAKARTA - United States diplomats are expected to hold Washington's first official meeting with a new Syrian leader commanded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Damascus.

America is among other Western countries and many Syrians are pleased to see HTS-led militias overthrow President Bashar al-Assad. However, it is unclear whether the group will implement strict Islamic rules or show flexibility and move towards democracy.

US officials from the Joe Biden administration will discuss with HTS representatives a series of principles such as inclusiveness and respect for the minority rights Washington wants to include in Syria's political transition.

Reported by Reuters on Friday, December 20, the US State Department's top diplomat for the Middle East Barbara Leaf, Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens and Senior Advisor Daniel Rubinstein, was the first US diplomat to travel to Damascus since the Assad administration was ousted.

The governments of Western countries have gradually opened communication for HTS and its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda branch commander in Syria.

The visit of the American delegation comes after contact with France and Britain in recent days.

The delegation will also seek information about US journalist Austin Tice, who traveled coverage to Syria in August 2012, and another American citizen who went missing under the Assad administration.

They will engage directly with the Syrian people, including members of civil society, activists, members of different communities, and other Syrian voices about their vision for the future of their country and how the United States can help support them, the US State Department said.

They also plan to meet with HTS representatives to discuss transitional principles supported by the United States and regional partners in Aqaba, Jordan, "added the statement.