EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib announced a 235 million euro aid package for Syria and neighbouring countries on Friday during the first visit by a senior EU official since Bashar al-Assad's ouster.

EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib on Friday became the first European Union official to visit Syria since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad last month.

On January 17, the EU announced a €235 million aid package for Syria and its neighbors. The funding aims to meet urgent humanitarian needs while supporting long-term stability under new leadership.

The sanctions currently in place are primarily against the former government of Bashar al-Assad and his allies.

European foreign ministers will gather to discuss easing sanctions on Syria following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad by insurgents. The EU's decision will depend on the new government's inclusivity and stance on radicalization.

Key European Union member states want to suspend some sanctions on Syria to help ensure a peaceful transition of power after the fall of ex-President Bashar Al-Assad and enable displaced people to return home.

Six EU member states propose a temporary suspension of sanctions on Syria in sectors like transport, energy, and banking. This move follows the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad by HTS. The proposal includes facilitating civilian flights and reevaluating sanctions on high-value goods,

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Friday that he had called for a moratorium on EU sanctions on Syria for six months or one year, but that a final decision could only come from the entire bloc.

Top diplomats from the Middle East and Europe were arriving in the Saudi capital on Sunday to discuss Syria, as world powers push for stability after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.Saudi Arabia, the Middle East's biggest economy,

RIYADH (Reuters) -European foreign ministers will meet at the end of January to discuss the lifting of sanctions on Syria, the EU foreign policy chief said on Sunday in Riyadh ahead of a meeting of top Middle Eastern and Western diplomats and Syria's new foreign minister.

EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib announced a 235 million euro aid package for Syria and neighbouring countries on Friday during a visit to Damascus.

European foreign ministers will convene at the end of January to discuss lifting sanctions on Syria. The decision comes after a recent shift in power with Bashar al-Assad's ousting. The outcome depends on the new Syrian administration's approach to inclusive governance and combating radicalization.