A Historic Moment: Minister Al-Shaibani Raises the Syrian Flag in the Heart of Washington

In a symbolic scene carrying deep political implications, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani raised the Syrian national flag today, Friday, above the Syrian embassy building in the American capital, Washington, during his official visit, which comes as part of the resumption of diplomatic relations between Damascus and Washington after years of severance.

The event follows an official meeting between Al-Shaibani and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Special Envoy Thomas Barak, where the two sides discussed files of bilateral cooperation, counter-terrorism, and Syrian-Israeli relations.

Raising the Syrian flag in Washington is considered the first field step reflecting the new political openness, and it is viewed as a signal to the beginning of a different diplomatic phase that may rearrange the regional and international scene regarding the Syrian file.