LONDON — Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa arrived in London on Tuesday for his first official visit to the United Kingdom, marking a step in the gradual restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries.The visit follows renewed engagement after the UK re-established ties with Syria in July 2025, ending years of estrangement.Al-Sharaa arrived from Germany with a ministerial delegation and is expected to hold talks with senior British officials to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer received Al-Sharaa at 10 Downing Street, where the two held talks lasting nearly an hour.Diplomatic relations have gradually improved in recent months. Syria moved to reopen its embassy in Belgrave Square, signaling progress in restoring formal ties.Plans to appoint a charge d’affaires in January have not yet been finalized.The UK’s re-engagement process began last year, including a visit by then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Damascus in July 2024, followed by a visit by Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer in August.LONDON — Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa arrived in London on Tuesday for his first official visit to the United Kingdom, marking a step in the gradual restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries.The visit follows renewed engagement after the UK re-established ties with Syria in July 2025, ending years of estrangement.Al-Sharaa arrived from Germany with a ministerial delegation and is expected to hold talks with senior British officials to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer received Al-Sharaa at 10 Downing Street, where the two held talks lasting nearly an hour.Diplomatic relations have gradually improved in recent months. Syria moved to reopen its embassy in Belgrave Square, signaling progress in restoring formal ties.Plans to appoint a charge d’affaires in January have not yet been finalized.The UK’s re-engagement process began last year, including a visit by then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Damascus in July 2024, followed by a visit by Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer in August.
