The Foreign Secretary made a statement to parliament on the Middle East
05/07/2024. London, United Kingdom. The Foreign Secretary David Lammy, poses for a photograph following his appointment to Cabinet by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in 10 Downing Street. Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and The Rt Hon David Lammy MPPublished21 July 2025
With permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the Middle East.
I’ll begin on Syria.
We have been horrified by the recent violence in the south, including civilian deaths.
Clashes between Druze and Bedouin militias have quickly escalated into intense fighting between government forces and further Israeli strikes on the Syrian military.
As I said directly to Foreign Minister Shaibani we want to see the fighting ended, civilians protected and the rights of all Syrians upheld.
The violence in Suwayda must be investigated and those responsible held accountable.
We want humanitarian access to be restored, aid delivered and Syria’s sovereignty must be respected.
The UK can be proud of our support to the Syrian people over many, many years.
And a stable Syria matters to the UK’s national interest, for terrorism, for irregular migration, for regional stability.
We must work to prevent extremism, sectarianism or lawlessness taking hold now that Assad is gone.
That’s why we are backing a sustainable ceasefire and that is why we support an inclusive transition.
And that’s why I visited Damascus recently to support and to press the new government to meet its commitments.
