Press Release: Syrian British Consortium Reacts to Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s Visit to the UK
31 March 2026
Syrian British Consortium Reacts to Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s Visit to the UK
The Syrian British Consortium welcomes the visit of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to the United Kingdom as a significant step toward a new chapter in UK–Syria relations. This visit presents an important opportunity to reset bilateral cooperation on a constructive and forward-looking basis, grounded in shared interests and mutual respect.
For the Syrian community in the United Kingdom, this moment carries particular importance. Over the past fifteen years, Syrians in the UK have worked diligently to establish civil society initiatives advocating for a free Syria founded on dignity and justice. Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, a genuine opportunity has emerged to rebuild the country on these principles, despite the ongoing challenges inherited from the former regime.
In this context, SBC views President Sharaa’s visit as a crucial opportunity to strengthen communication channels between the Syrian government and the Syrian diaspora in the UK, including through a meeting to be held later today between Sharaa and members of the UK Syrian community. We hope this engagement will provide a platform to convey the perspectives and aspirations of Syrians in the UK directly, particularly on key issues such as transitional justice.
The Syrian diaspora is uniquely positioned to contribute meaningfully to Syria’s rebirth. Over many years, Syrians in the UK have developed extensive expertise across diverse sectors. Dr Yasmine Nahlawi, Chairperson of SBC’s Board of Directors, says: “Syrians in the UK are deeply committed to rebuilding a modern Syria grounded in justice and the rule of law. We hope that President Sharaa’s visit will open opportunities to integrate UK Syrians’ expertise into Syria’s reconstruction efforts—whether through direct contributions on the ground or through strategic partnerships with Syrian institutions and UK-based civil society organisations.”
We also hope that discussions with the British government have addressed the issue of frozen Syrian assets, with a view to channelling these resources into development initiatives, supporting state rebuilding efforts, and ensuring justice for victims through a victims’ fund.
Finally, we stress that the reopening of the Syrian embassy in London, alongside the reestablishment of a British embassy in Damascus, is both urgent and essential. Such measures would not only facilitate critical consular services but also strengthen official ties and have a tangible, positive impact on the daily lives of Syrians.
SBC remains committed to supporting efforts that advance a stable, just, and prosperous future for Syria and its people.
For media enquiries, contact info@syrianbritish.org.
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