Syria’s New Rulers Engage with Western Nations

• Syria’s new rulers engage with countries that deemed President Bashar al-Assad a pariah, with the French flag raised at the embassy for the first time in over a decade.

• The EU will reopen its mission in Syria following constructive talks with its new leadership.

• Turkey and Qatar have reopened embassies in Damascus, while U.S. and British officials have launched communications with Syria’s new leaders.

• France, an early backer of the uprising, sent a delegation to Damascus.

• The United Nations humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher expressed encouragement and a basis for scaling-up of vital humanitarian support. German diplomats were also in Damascus.