READOUT: Ranking Member Shaheen, Senators Tillis, Coons, Murphy and Kelly, Representatives Himes and Jacobs Meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister al-Shaibani and Commander of[...]

MUNICH, GERMANY - Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), along with U.S. Representatives Jim Himes (D-CT) and Sara Jacobs (D-CA) met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Commander of Syrian Democratic Forces General Mazloum Abdi on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference to discuss Syria's political transition and regional stability.

Ranking Member Shaheen welcomed the historic meeting with both the Foreign Minister and the General following the recent agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces. This agreement was a critical step toward national reconciliation and a unified Syria that protects all its people. She emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue, faithful implementation of the agreement and continued progress on inclusive governance and human rights protections for all of Syria's communities. The Senator reaffirmed her commitment to bipartisan engagement to support a stable, sovereign Syria that contributes to broader regional security.

Ranking Member Shaheen also highlighted her successful effort to secure repeal of the Caesar Act sanctions in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, noting that the Assad-era sanctions had become an impediment to economic recovery and investment following the regime's fall. She underscored that lifting these sanctions is intended to give the Syrian people a real opportunity to rebuild, promote long-term stability, deny ISIS a safe haven and counter malign influence from Iran and Russia.

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