Damascus: Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has announced his country's intent to strengthen bilateral relations with Egypt and Iraq. He described the current state of these ties as 'acceptable' but emphasized the need for advancement toward a 'more advanced and significant stage.'

According to Anadolu Agency, President Sharaa conveyed this vision during a speech to a delegation of Damascus residents on Liberation Day, marking the first anniversary of Bashar al-Assad's ouster. He elaborated on Syria's new foreign policy, which aims to create a broad regional and international balance. Sharaa highlighted that Syria has managed to achieve a type of balance in its relations that was previously unattainable over the past century. He stated that the world is now looking toward Damascus with serious intent.

Sharaa further described Syria's relations with global powers such as the US, Russia, and China as 'good,' and noted that ties with countries like France, the UK, Germany, and Spain are constructive. On a regional level, he remarked that relationships with Trkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are 'ideal,' whereas the connections with Egypt and Iraq remain 'acceptable,' with hopes for them to evolve to a greater and higher level.

The Syrian president emphasized that this balance has positioned Syria as an 'influential actor' both regionally and internationally, asserting that Damascus now serves as a model of stability and sustainable peace. Sharaa expressed the aspiration for Syria to embody this spirit and revival, while warning against squandering the current historic moment, stating, "We're not prepared to pay such a price every ten years."

In celebration of the first anniversary of Assad's fall, mosques across Syria participated in 'victory chants,' following a call by the Ministry of Religious Endowments. Various cities and provinces, including Damascus, Daraa, Hama, Aleppo, Idlib, and Latakia, witnessed military parades with substantial public participation. These events marked the culmination of commemorations for the 'Deterrence of Aggression' battle, which began in Aleppo on Nov. 27, 2024, and led to the opposition forces reaching Damascus 11 days later. Many Syrians see Assad's overthrow on Dec. 8, 2024, as the end of a long era of brutal repression characterized by widespread violations against civilians, particularly throughout 14 years of uprising.