Britain re-established full diplomatic relations with Syria on 5 July, ending a 14-year rupture that began early in the country’s civil war. Foreign Secretary David Lammy made the announcement during a visit to Damascus, the first by a UK minister since 2011. Lammy met interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the People’s Palace and later held talks with Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani. Statements from both capitals said the discussions covered bilateral cooperation, regional security and Syria’s political transition following the removal of Bashar al-Assad last December. Lammy said there was “renewed hope for the Syrian people” and underscored the need for an inclusive, representative government. London unveiled an additional £94.5 million package of humanitarian assistance aimed at urgent relief and longer-term recovery. The funding follows the UK’s April decision to unfreeze the assets of Syria’s central bank and more than 20 other entities, part of a broader Western rollback of sanctions as Damascus seeks reconstruction aid. The two governments agreed in principle to reopen their embassies and to create a Syrian-British Economic Council to spur investment and trade. Lammy also invited Shaibani to London, signalling a deeper re-engagement as Britain positions itself to support post-conflict stabilisation and reconstruction in Syria.