Sayed Hussein Al-Qassab
“The Syrian government has implemented 90% of the obligations of the transitional phase, in just eleven months.” With these words, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani chose Bahrain, and especially the “Manama Dialogue 2025,” as a place for the Damascus government to announce to the world its commitment to achieving stability, security, and the territorial integrity of the country. This creates a platform for redrawing the features of the new Middle East, as he presented an image of a “new Syria” that was not built on sectarian foundations or majority-minority concepts, but rather on the rule of law. Openness and cooperation.
Al-Shaibani explained that his country is working to restore regional relations, especially Lebanon, as a priority in the new foreign policy. He pointed out that Syria does not oppose Iran as a country, but rejects its interference in Syrian affairs. He revealed an expected visit by President Ahmed al-Sharaa to Washington to discuss lifting sanctions and opening a new page.
In the same session of the “Manama Dialogue,” the diplomatic advisor to the President of the UAE, Dr. Anwar Gargash said that peace in the region cannot be achieved without the establishment of a Palestinian state, stressing the UAE’s desire to resolve differences with Tehran politically, criticizing the position of the international community that allowed the military coup in Sudan, and announcing that his country would provide $100 million in humanitarian support to Sudan.
In the intervention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the sister State of Palestine, Dr. Faresin Shaheen stressed that the crises facing the region are the result of Israel’s impunity for 77 years, stressing the necessity of rebuilding Gaza, while accusing the Netanyahu government of seeking to destabilize stability through continued wars and destruction.
As for the Minister Plenipotentiary and Head of the Negotiating Team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Manal Radwan stressed that the Palestinians are ready for a two-state solution, calling for enabling the Palestinian people to establish their independent state as a way to achieve a just and sustainable peace.
In his speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Republic, Asaad Al-Shaibani, said that the weeks that preceded the liberation of Syria from the Assad regime last year revealed the extent of the challenges facing the path of political transition, indicating that his country today is working to correct the image distorted by the previous regime, and to build a state based on justice, development and peace.
Al-Shaibani explained that one month before the forum was held, specifically in October 2024, the Kingdom of Bahrain announced the seizure of 130,000 Captagon pills worth about $1.7 million, indicating that their source was the former Syrian regime.
He added that that stage turned Syria into a regional platform for threats and conflicts, saying: “We were working at that time to liberate our people from injustice and dictatorship, and to restore the true image of Syria that befits its history and its people.”
Al-Shaibani stated that the work since December 8, over a period of only eleven months, witnessed the implementation of about 90% of the promises made, despite the great challenges, as these achievements included launching the national dialogue, forming the comprehensive government, holding parliamentary elections, the constitutional declaration, opening relations with neighboring countries, and adopting a foreign policy based on development and peace, in addition to attracting foreign investments.
He stressed that his country relies on balanced diplomacy, far from polarization, and seeks to stand at the same distance from everyone and build relations based on cooperation, openness and peace. Al-Shaibani stressed that the new Syria was not built on sectarian foundations or majority-minority concepts, but rather on the rule of law, considering that the diversity of Syrian society represents a civilizational value that enhances national integration and unity.
He pointed out that the recent parliamentary elections took place with broad participation and local and international oversight, expressing his hope that the first session of Parliament, scheduled to be held at the end of this November, will reflect the aspirations of the Syrian people.
The minister added that Syria is building its political alliances on economic foundations aiming to make the country a center for trade and investment between East and West, and a safe corridor for regional trade routes, stressing that his country relies on investment, not humanitarian aid, in its reconstruction, considering that removing sanctions is sufficient to gradually rebuild Syria.
He pointed out that Damascus is ready to stand by Lebanon in the way it deems appropriate, in a way that preserves the sovereignty of the two countries and promotes their common interests.
Regarding relations with Iran, Al-Shaibani stated that his country does not oppose Iran as a state, but rejects its interference in Syrian affairs, explaining that Tehran’s policy in the region, especially in Syria, was wrong and led to the prolongation of the war and the suffering of the Syrians.
He stressed that Syria today is free of such interference, and that it seeks relations based on mutual respect without guardianship or external influence.
The minister touched on the situation in southern Syria, noting that Israel has carried out more than 1,000 air strikes since last December, in violation of Syrian sovereignty, stressing Damascus’s commitment to the 1974 agreement, and its endeavor to avoid any new military confrontation, stressing that Syria is not a source of threat to anyone, and that all the security pretexts that Israel invokes “no longer exist after December 8th.”
He pointed out that his country is still subject to the “Caesar Act” sanctions and the old American sanctions that classified Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1979, even though the policies due to which the sanctions were imposed no longer exist today, calling on the international community to remove these sanctions that are hindering the reconstruction process.
The minister revealed an expected visit to Washington at the beginning of this November, during which he will accompany President Ahmed Sharh on the first official visit by a Syrian president to the White House in more than seven decades, stressing that the visit will focus on discussing the lifting of sanctions, opening a new page in relations with the United States, and cooperation in combating ISIS.
Al-Shaibani added that the change that Syria witnessed after the fall of the previous regime represents an important political and geopolitical transformation in the Middle East, similar to the transformations that followed the Cold War, indicating that the new Syrian policy aims to establish bilateral relations.
The Syrian Foreign Minister concluded his speech by emphasizing that his country does not pose a threat to any country in the region, explaining that relations with Turkey are witnessing a remarkable development after transforming the previous military approach into a joint dialogue to address the outstanding issues in northern Syria.
For his part, the diplomatic advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Anwar Gargash, said that the major transformations in the region have become clear to everyone, indicating that the current stage represents a watershed moment that requires decisive decisions to shape the features of the new Middle East. He explained, during his participation in the Manama Dialogue 2025, organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, that the choices taken today will determine the shape of the region after the crises, stressing that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza represented a decisive turning point after two years of suffering, and that the current stage must not be wasted, but rather invested to achieve lasting peace and sustainable stability.
He stressed that the two-state solution remains the basis for achieving a stable Middle East, as a lasting peace cannot be imagined without the establishment of a Palestinian state living in security and dignity alongside Israel.
He pointed out the need to confront extremist narratives that have been fueled by years of suffering, indicating that ignoring human dignity leads to future conflicts, while promoting moderate narratives based on dialogue, respect and empowerment represents the best path to building a stable transitional phase.
Gargash stressed that the current stage represents the end of the old regional order and the beginning of a new order, noting that every country seeks today to achieve what can be described as “strategic independence,” stressing that returning to previous policies is no longer possible, but rather new policies must be developed that are commensurate with regional and global transformations. Speaking about relations with Iran, Gargash said: “The discussion about Iran cannot be fruitful without evaluating the policies that brought us to this situation,” noting that the idea that prevailed previously, that the Arab world would be the first line of defense against Iran, was one of the reasons that contributed to the complexity of the scene.
He added that the UAE wants to resolve differences with Tehran politically and build a positive relationship based on mutual respect, but it is necessary for Iran to reconsider its regional policies that are based on expanding influence as part of the deterrence system. Regarding economic development, he pointed out that the UAE has adopted, over the past years, the geo-economic peace approach, and today it seeks to move towards geo-technological peace through intensive investment in the fields of technology, stressing that investment needs a sound governance environment, transparency, and long-term political stability, because “aid is not like investments, as the investor is looking for a safe environment for decades to come.”
Dr. concluded. Anwar Gargash stressed that the Arab region should not be an arena for the ambitions of powers, but rather a space to achieve the aspirations of its people towards prosperity, stressing that economic stability is the basis of development, and that the current peace phase must be transformed into permanent stability despite the challenges, because “going backwards is no longer an option.”
In turn, the Minister of State for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in Palestine, Farsin Shaheen, confirmed, during her participation in the Manama Dialogue, that the region is witnessing major regional and international changes and transformations today, stressing that the current dialogue represents an important opportunity to inform thinkers and policy makers about the reality, and ways to move in accordance with rights, international law and international consensus, in light of the suffering and grave crimes that the region is exposed to caused by the colonial occupation that has gone unpunished for 77 years since The Nakba, and 57 years of long occupation.
The Minister explained that the geostrategic changes in Palestine and neighboring countries, despite the devastation and suffering to which the Palestinian people are exposed, generate opportunities that must be taken advantage of to confront the accompanying challenges.
She stressed that the region is facing two initiatives for a new Middle East. The first: led by the international community with a comprehensive agreement towards a stable Middle East in which the people live in security, peace, prosperity and dignity, without occupation and wars, and which includes the establishment of a Palestinian state and the two-state solution.
She stated that the efforts led by Saudi Arabia and France at the New York conference to settle the Palestinian issue by peaceful means and implement United Nations resolutions constitute a practical roadmap to enhance international recognition of the Palestinian state, as a condition for peace, and not just a way out of the peace process.
She stressed the need for the reconstruction of Gaza to be through Palestinian national efforts, led by the Palestinian government and with Arab and international support, stressing that Gaza is an integral part of the State of Palestine, and that the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem, constitutes a single geographical unit under state sovereignty.
The Minister explained that the policy is clear, and includes one state, one government, one law, and one weapon, and that the reconstruction plan includes a transitional mechanism for a temporary Palestinian committee of technocrats to manage the Gaza Strip, and unify national institutions, with approval for the presence of international stability forces operating at the invitation of the State of Palestine and under the supervision of the Security Council to support Palestinian security, and not as a substitute for national agencies.
She added that the second initiative, represented by the government of the Israeli Prime Minister, depends on the continuation of wars and destruction, and aims to destabilize the region, and includes attacks on sovereign states such as Syria, Lebanon and Qatar, with genocide in the Gaza Strip, continued settlement in the West Bank, imposing an economic blockade, cutting off the West Bank with more than 1,200 iron gates and military barriers, plundering Palestinian resources and tax money, and preventing the work of international organizations, including UNRWA.
She stressed that this initiative ignores the rights of the Palestinian people and the two-state solution, threatens regional peace and security, and strengthens Israel’s expansionist ambitions at the expense of the peoples of the region.
She pointed out that today there are many international opportunities to support the two-state solution and end the occupation once and for all, including the recovery and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, while supporting the Palestinian government’s ability to achieve national reform, and emphasizing that Palestinian security and protection of the Palestinian people must be a priority on the international agenda, while maintaining equal sovereignty for countries in the region.
The Minister affirmed that the Palestinian people are working on a development and reform plan that focuses on strengthening governance, transparency and accountability, and their ability to provide services efficiently and fairly, while achieving social equality and political participation for all segments of the people, to establish a unified leadership and inclusive institutions in a general democratic atmosphere, within the framework of a systematic reform program that keeps pace with the Peace and Stability Initiative, and confronts the Fire and Destruction Initiative.
She stressed that the struggle of the Palestinian people is part of the struggle of free peoples, stressing that the Palestinians chose the path of steadfastness and confronting the crimes of the occupation, relying on international law and international consensus on their inalienable rights, and looking forward to the prospects of freedom, independence and the establishment of an independent state, with confidence in the great international support for their rights and justice.
For her part, the Minister Plenipotentiary and Head of the Negotiating Team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Manal Radwan, during her participation in the Manama Dialogue, said that what is happening today can be considered the beginning of building confidence and an important step towards closing the file of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
She explained that the ultimate goal is to achieve sustainable peace based on justice and respect for international law, ensuring non-interference in the internal affairs of countries, while providing security and prosperity for all.
She stressed that every country can guarantee its security and legitimate rights through a true partnership with the United States, and that Washington’s position – although not expressed clearly enough – rejects annexation, deportation, or forced expulsion, which is the essence of the two-state solution, and indicates that the occupied territories are still under the control of the Israeli occupation without legitimate sovereignty.
Regarding the one-state solution, the Minister stressed that the Palestinians are ready for this solution only if it is based on full equality of rights and citizenship within one state, so that everyone – Palestinians and Israelis – enjoys the same rights, which has not yet been achieved.
The Minister also stressed the importance of Arab leadership in formulating and implementing this path, pointing out that the initiative requires the participation of all regional and international parties, and a clear agreement on the foundations of international law and the rights of the Palestinian people, while ensuring that any international force under the umbrella of the United Nations is defined by a clear timetable, and is not exploited to prolong the transition period without achieving its real goals, including enabling the Palestinian authorities to manage security affairs and civil services in Gaza and the East Bank in an integrated and unified manner.
She explained that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia believes that the confidence-building phase begins today, and must be built on an actual commitment to implement previous decisions, and that the foundations be clear to all parties, while overcoming previous mistakes and evaluating actions according to results, not intentions, to ensure the achievement of a comprehensive and sustainable peace.
