#SYRIA

Following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, dozens of Syrian military officers have been relocated to Libya in a move reportedly orchestrated with Russian support, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Kyiv is moving to build relations with the new Islamist rulers in Damascus.

Holding elections in Syria could take up to four years, Syria's de facto leader said in an interview with Al Arabiya, the first time he has commented on a possible timetable for elections since Bashar al-Assad was ousted this month.

Russia is deploying its S-300 and S-400 air defense systems previously stationed in Syria to Libya, causing concern for Turkey, which maintains a presence in the western part of the North African country, The Libya Observer and USGlobal news websites have reported.

Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa reached an agreement on Tuesday with former rebel faction chiefs to dissolve all groups and consolidate them under the defense ministry, according to a statement from the new administration.

Syria's new rulers have appointed a foreign minister, the official Syrian news agency (SANA) said on Saturday, as they seek to build international relations two weeks after Bashar al-Assad was ousted.

Kaja Kallas said America and Europe ‘have to work together’.

The EU’s newly appointed foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has doubled down on a tough stance on Moscow, announcing fresh financial support for Ukraine, a zero-tolerance position on Russia’s military presence in Syria and a call for sanctions on Georgia’s ruling pro-Russian party.

The EU will not lift sanctions on Syria before its new rulers ensure minorities are not persecuted and women’s rights are protected within a unified government that disavows religious extremism, the EU’s top diplomat said.

Israel announced on Sunday that it plans to double its population on the occupied Golan Heights while saying threats from Syria remained despite the moderate tone of rebel leaders who ousted President Bashar al-Assad a week ago.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday he had instructed his government to set up supply mechanisms to deliver together with international organizations and partners food to Syria in the aftermath of the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.

Top diplomats from the United States, Turkey, the European Union and Arab nations have agreed that a new government in Syria should respect minority rights, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday following talks in Jordan and direct contacts with the rebels who ousted president Bashar al-Assad.

The ouster of Bashar al-Assad has been a major strategic blow for Moscow.

The European Commission has said it is launching a “humanitarian air bridge” to deliver healthcare and other essential supplies to Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime.

Mohamed al-Bashir has been appointed caretaker prime minister of the new, transitional Syrian government until March 1, he said in a televised statement on Tuesday.

Israel will step up airstrikes on Syrian stores of advanced weaponry, Israeli officials said on Monday, and keep a “limited” troop presence on the ground, hoping to head off any threat that could emerge in the fallout of president Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday called for a peaceful transition of power in Syria and an inclusive, Syrian-led political process.

Russian warships are making a "shameful" retreat from their naval base in Syria, Ukrainian intelligence has said.

Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Russia where they have been granted asylum on “humanitarian grounds,” Russian media has reported, after anti-regime insurgents stormed through the Syrian capital on Sunday, marking an end of Assad’s nearly 25-year rule.

No Polish citizens have requested evacuation from Syria due to the uncertain security situation after rebels said they had taken control of the country, Poland’s foreign ministry has said.