Sources: Washington gave Damascus a list of conditions for partial sanctions relief

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Levant and Syria Affairs Natasha Franceschi delivered the list of demands to Damascus Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani in a personal meeting on the sidelines of the Syria donors conference in Brussels on March 18, according to two people (a US official and a Syrian source familiar with the matter).

Two US officials, a Syrian source, and two sources in Washington said that among the conditions set by the United States are Syria's destruction of any remaining chemical weapons stockpiles and cooperation in combating "terrorism."

The two US officials and a source in Washington added that other demands include ensuring that foreign fighters are not appointed to leadership positions in Syria's ruling structure.

The agency noted that Damascus has already appointed foreign fighters, including Uighurs, a Jordanian, and a Turk, to its Defense Ministry, a move that has raised concerns among foreign governments.

Washington also asked Damascus to appoint a liaison officer to assist US efforts to locate Austin Tice, the American journalist who has been missing in Syria for more than a decade, according to US officials and sources in Washington.

Sources said that in exchange for meeting all the demands, Washington would ease some sanctions. The sources did not specify the type of relief that would be offered, and said that Washington did not provide a specific timeline for meeting these conditions.

T/S

ANHA