Qatar Reportedly Aims to Support Syrian Government Salary Enhancements

Damascus:  Qatar is set to assist in funding a significant increase in public sector salaries pledged by Syria's new administration, revealed a US official and a high-ranking diplomat, crucial support for the new Islamist leaders in Damascus following their overthrow of Bashar al-Assad a month ago. The backing for the new Syrian government has been facilitated by a US sanctions waiver granted by Washington on Monday, permitting transactions with Syrian governing bodies for a duration of six months.  An Arab official stated that discussions regarding Qatar's financing of Syrian government salaries were ongoing and nothing had been concluded, mentioning that other nations, including Saudi Arabia, could participate in the initiative. 

ALSO READ: Asian Stocks Decline Following Wall Street's Drop Despite Positive US Economic Data

Qatar-Syria Diplomatic Engagement

On Tuesday, a Saudi representative informed Reuters that the kingdom is dedicated to collaborating with both regional and international allies to assist Syria, emphasizing that its present support is "centered on humanitarian assistance such as food, shelter, and medical supplies." Qatar, which has supported the Syrian armed rebellion against Assad for years, was actively urging Washington to grant the sanctions exemption, allowing it to provide funding officially, according to the U.S. official and the diplomat. Syrian rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took power from Assad on Dec. 8 in a lightning offensive and have since installed an interim government that has promised a 400 per cent salary increase for public sector workers.The total monthly price tag for salaries including the increase is around $120 million, with more than 1.25 million workers on the public-sector payroll, the new finance minister has said.

Qatar Strengthens Ties with Syria Amid Diplomatic Engagements and Economic Support Talks

A Syrian finance ministry source said they had no confirmation on foreign funding of salaries but there had been general pledges of support.  The Qatari foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.  HTS was designated a terrorist entity by Washington several years ago but has long-since broken ties with Al Qaeda and has in recent years signalled a more moderate approach.The rebels-turned-rulers have promised to embark on an inclusive political process in Syria bringing together all its ethnic and religious components and have made efforts to reach out to other Gulf Arab states wary of their history. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani visited Riyadh on his first official trip abroad last week, and has since made stops in the UAE, Qatar and Jordan. 

ALSO READ: বীমা প্ৰিমিয়ামঃ ৭০-৭৫ বছৰ বয়সলৈকে বীমা প্ৰিমিয়াম দিব নালাগে, কিয় জানে?

Arab States, European powers and the US have engaged with the new Syrian rulers as part of an effort to give them a chance to stabilize the country and embark on an inclusive political process, diplomats said.  Qatar, a tiny but wealthy Gulf state that plays an outsized role in international diplomacy, has moved swiftly over the last month to establish links with the new Syrian government, sending senior officials to Damascus and re-opening its embassy. On Tuesday, Qatar Airways resumed regular flights between Doha and Damascus. Doha severed official relations with the Assad government in 2011 and it rejected efforts by several Arab countries to mend ties with Damascus in recent years. The White House National Security Council did not immediately respond to questions on whether the US had been informed of the talks about Qatari support and if such an arrangement would meet the requirements of the six-month US sanctions exemption announced on Monday.