Reference News, July 6 report. According to AFP, July 5 report, the UK announced on July 5 the resumption of diplomatic relations with Syria, which had been interrupted for more than a decade. This comes as the UK's Foreign Secretary David Lammy is visiting Damascus, marking the first visit by a UK ministerial-level official to Syria since President Bashar al-Assad's downfall in December last year.

This diplomatic breakthrough occurs as the Syrian authorities are trying to rebuild the country devastated by 13 years of conflict and revive its economy on the brink of collapse.

London had participated in international sanctions against Damascus and later closed its embassy in Syria.

Lammy stated in a statement released by the UK Foreign Office: "The UK has resumed diplomatic relations because it is in the UK's interest to help the new government fulfill its commitment to build a more stable, secure, and prosperous future for all Syrians." This is the first visit by a UK ministerial-level official to Syria in 14 years.

Syrian authorities previously reported that Lammy met with Syrian regime leader Ahmed al-Khatib in Damascus. Lammy also met with the head of Syria's foreign affairs department, Assad al-Hibbi.

A statement from the Syrian authorities showed that both sides discussed "bilateral relations... ways to strengthen cooperation, and developments in regional and international situations."

Lammy emphasized that a stable Syria is in the UK's interest, helping to "reduce the risk of illegal migration, ensure the destruction of chemical weapons," and "combat terrorist threats."

The Syrian authorities expect Western countries to support the launch of the reconstruction phase, with the United Nations estimating the cost of reconstruction at over $40 billion.

The UK Foreign Office said London has committed an additional $129 million in funding to provide "emergency humanitarian aid" to the Syrian people and support reconstruction efforts. (Translated by Zhao Kexin)

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