UK participation in Cop28 questioned after UAE invited Assad to Syria

Both the United States and the United Kingdom have said they continue to oppose direct links to Damascus. Credit: SANA/REUTERS

The Syrian president was invited to the UN climate summit in Dubai later this year, raising questions about whether the UK will attend.

Bashar al-Assad was invited by the United Arab government Emirates on Monday, the first invitation it has received to a global summit since the start of the Syrian war in 2011.

Western leaders have imposed sanctions on Syria over the civil war and its government's treatment of civilians.

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Earlier this month, Syria was again invited to the Arab League, but the United States and Britain said they still oppose direct ties to Damascus.

The UK government declined to answer the question of whether they would still attend the summit. in Dubai.

“Assad continues to torture and kill innocent Syrians.”

However, the source pointed to comments made last week by Lord Ahmad, the Foreign Secretary.

“The UK remains against interaction with the Assad regime. Bashar al-Assad continues to detain, torture and kill innocent Syrians with no sign of changing behavior towards his own people,” he tweeted.

“Syria must participate in the UN political process, which remains the only path to a lasting and sustainable peace in Syria. Those who committed violations and violations of human rights must also be held accountable.”

Since the outbreak of the war in Syria, Assad has held on to power and reclaimed lost territories with decisive support from Iran and Russia.

Assad is also invited to the Saudi Arabia summit

Assad has also received an invitation to the Saudi Arabia summit scheduled for Friday.

The UAE reestablished ties with Syria in 2018 and led the recent campaign to reintegrate Damascus into the Arab fold.

Last March, Assad visited the UAE on his first official trip to an Arab country since the start of the war in 2011, and visits again this year.

Engagement with Damascus in the region intensified after the devastating earthquake in Syria and Turkey on February 6, followed by a landmark rapprochement in March between Saudi Arabia and Iran.