UK lifts sanctions on Syrian defence ministry

by Jessica

The UK has lifted asset freezes on Syrian government bodies including the defence and interior ministries, in the latest easing of sanctions on the country.

Sanctions are also being lifted on sectors including financial services and energy production, which the UK government said would help facilitate investment and rebuild Syria's economy.

It comes nearly five months after President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown by a rebel offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), following years of civil war.

The Foreign Office said sanctions on members of the former Assad regime and those involved in the illicit trade in the drug Captagon would remain.

Other bodies no longer subject to asset freezes include a number of media organisations and Syria's intelligence agencies, although these were dissolved after the overthrow of Assad.

The sanctions were previously imposed on people involved in repressing civilians in Syria, as well as those supporting or benefitting from the Assad regime.

In March the UK lifted asset freezes on 24 Syrian bodies previously used by the Assad regime to fund the oppression of civilians, including the Central Bank of Syria, Syrian Arab Airlines and energy companies.

It is generally prohibited to deal with frozen funds or make funds available to those subject to sanctions.

Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer said: "The Syrian people deserve the opportunity to rebuild their country and economy, and a stable Syria is in the UK's national interest."

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