Syria, US discuss expanding bilateral partnership in Damascus

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on Monday received Jake McGee, US deputy assistant secretary of state, in the capital Damascus to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation and partnership between the two countries.

In a statement, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said the meeting also addressed recent regional and international developments.

It did not mention, however, when McGee arrived or how long his visit to Damascus would last.

The meeting came about a week after al-Shaibani held talks with Thomas Barrack, US special envoy to Syria and ambassador to Türkiye, in the Turkish capital Ankara on Sept. 8.

Contacts between Damascus and Washington have intensified since the December 2024 downfall of the Assad regime, as Syria's post-Assad government seeks to strengthen its international ties, support economic recovery efforts, and attract investment.