‘Ready to engage’: Syria’s foreign minister calls for lifting of sanctions

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani speaks during a news conference [File: Khalil Ashawi/Reuters]

Syria’s new Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani has spoken exclusively to Al Jazeera about the new administration’s goals, orientation, and progress so far.

Speaking to Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra on New Year’s Day, a little more than three weeks after longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad was ousted, al-Shaibani was eager to outline progress so far.