UK Hosts Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa as Starmer Welcomes Cooperation

Al-Sharaa made his first visit to London since ousting Assad.

“Syrian president makes 1st UK visit as diplomatic ties thaw after years of estrangement Ahmad al-Sharaa arrives in London for talks with British officials following restoration of relations in 2025 LONDON Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa arrived in London on Tuesday for his first official visit to the UK, marking another step in the gradual restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries”

Anadolu Ajansı

King Charles hosted him at Buckingham Palace; he met Starmer at Downing Street.

Anadolu Ajansı

Starmer welcomed Syria’s action against Islamic State and progress on counter-terrorism.

Al-Sharaa told Chatham House Syria would remain outside any conflict unless targeted.

Al-Sharaa was until recently designated a terrorist with a US bounty on him.

British intelligence had been working towards this day for almost two decades.

GB News

Starmer publicly celebrated al-Sharaa’s success in battling ISIS.

The talks included cooperation on migration and tackling people smuggling.

The leaders agreed that regeneration of infrastructure would be vital for Syria’s economic transition.

“The Prime Minister met the President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Downing Street this morning”

GOV.UK

Al-Sharaa thanked London for pushing sanctions to be lifted.

The Syria Investment Authority met British companies to attract investment.

Starmer and al-Sharaa discussed a viable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Sectarian tensions have caused repeated bloodshed since al-Sharaa took power.

The Grayzone reported al-Sharaa’s death squads were massacring minorities.

Haaretz

The British presentation framed the visit as stabilizing, while The Grayzone exposed a darker reality.