US Secretary of State: Transitional authorities in Syria could collapse within a few weeks
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria, stating that failure was likely without cooperation with the country’s current transitional government.
During a Senate hearing, Rubio said, “If we cooperate with them, success may be possible, or it may not be… But if we don’t cooperate with them, failure is certain”.
Rubio added that the transitional government in Syria faces significant challenges and may be on the verge of collapse in the next few weeks, which could lead to a full-scale civil war and the partition of the country.
He continued, “We need their help, because the alternative is civil war and chaos, which will completely destabilize the region”.
Rubio also indicated that US diplomatic mission staff in Türkiye will work with local authorities in Syria to identify necessary needs.
He also confirmed that the US Ambassador to Türkiye will participate in these efforts on a temporary basis.
It’s worth noting that President Trump met with Syrian transitional President Ahmed al Sharaa in Riyadh on May 14, the first meeting between the two American and Syrian leaders in 25 years.
Trump announced the beginning of the lifting of US sanctions imposed on Syria for decades since the late 1970s.
