Syria: Druze Community

Lord Hannay of Chiswick Excerpts

Thursday 17th July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hannay of Chiswick (CB)]

My Lords, does the Minister recognise that the history of many centuries shows that Syria is crucial to the stability of not only its own country but the whole region, and that when there is instability in Syria, there is very often instability more widely? It surely behoves anyone within or outside Syria to avoid inflicting instability on a country that has just emerged from an appalling experience. Does the Minister believe that we have enough presence on the ground in Damascus to inform us clearly about what is going on and to talk with others who are working for stability in Syria to that end?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I agree with the noble Lord’s point of view. Do we have enough presence on the ground? My very sincere hope is that our presence there can grow, and I know that is what the noble Lord wishes to see. We want Syria and the UK to have the strongest possible relationship, because that is in the interests of both our countries. Having a fully-fledged diplomatic presence in Syria would be a wonderful thing for us to be able to do, I hope in the near future.