The Canadian government has officially removed Syria from its list of states that sponsor terrorism. This decision comes nearly a year after the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Syria was added to the list in 2012 while the country was embroiled in a devastating conflict that began in March 2011. The war has resulted in nearly half a million deaths and displaced about half of Syria's pre-war population of 23 million.

The new interim government in Syria, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Islamist insurgent, is working to reintegrate the country into the international community. Alongside this change, Canada has also removed al-Sharaa's group, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, from its list of terrorist organizations. This group was previously affiliated with al-Qaeda.

Global Affairs Canada stated, "These decisions were not taken lightly; the safety and security of Canadians will remain paramount." The agency emphasized that these actions align with recent decisions made by allies, including the United Kingdom and the United States. The statement also noted the Syrian transitional government's efforts to promote stability and build a secure future for its citizens.

In a related development, a delegation from the United Nations Security Council visited Syria recently. Samuel Zbogar, the permanent representative of Slovenia to the U.N. and president of the Security Council, remarked that the delegation aimed to "build trust" during their visit. He expressed hope that their discussions marked a step forward in relations.

The delegation met with al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, and other cabinet members. They also engaged with local U.N. staff, Syrian civil society, and religious leaders affected by sectarian violence earlier this year in various regions, including the coast and Sweida province.

Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed al-Sharaa to the White House last month, following the lifting of sanctions on the interim president. This series of diplomatic moves indicates a significant shift in the international approach to Syria's new government and its efforts to stabilize the country.