British Embassy in Damascus

Lord Kerr of Kinlochard Excerpts

Tuesday 2nd December 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

It is not based on legal advice as far as I am aware; I think it is just about making sure we do things in successful and sustainable way. It shows the reason why we are so reluctant to withdraw from a city or a country; once you have withdrawn and no longer have an embassy, it is very difficult and always takes time to re-establish that presence.

[Lord Kerr of Kinlochard (CB)]

UNHCR maintains that there are 16 million Syrians in Syria in need of humanitarian assistance. UK charities are seeking to help. Does the Minister agree that it would help them if we reopened the embassy in Damascus?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I think everybody agrees that it would be a positive step, but we do have a special representative in Syria, Ann Snow. As I say, we continue because, as the noble Lord says, there is still huge humanitarian need in Syria. I was in Jordan recently, speaking to Syrian refugees who would like to return home, but they want to feel that they would be safe and secure, that education would be available for their children and that healthcare would be available. In too many parts of Syria, that is still not the situation, so there is a huge amount of work to do and we continue to play our full part in rebuilding Syria.