French Prosecutors Seek Prison and Fines in Lafarge Terror Financing Case
ENAB BALADI
December 18, 2025
Public Prosecution Demands Eight-Year Sentence for Syrian Businessman Firas Tlass
Public Prosecution Demands Eight-Year Sentence for Syrian Businessman Firas Tlass
Now owned by the Swiss multinational Holcim, Lafarge is charged with “financing terrorism” and “violating international sanctions.”
Syria is witnessing a sharp rise in killings, kidnappings, and armed assaults, underscoring the collapse of security structures across much of the country.
For many, returning to Syria was not a homecoming, but the beginning of a new estrangement, Hamdan Al-Ukla writes in Syria TV.
Husariya said the bank considers the decision “a significant step that supports Syria’s economic recovery and expands prospects for international cooperation.”
“It is an honor to represent Syria at the World Economic Forum, marking a historic moment for our country,” al-Shibani stated
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen warned that escalating violence in Syria poses a threat to the entire region
This news round on Syria covers several critical developments. In Latakia, an Israeli airstrike targeted a weapons depot, causing injuries and triggering explosions, as tensions
The Commission is actively engaged at European, regional, and Arab levels, according to Syria TV.
Switzerland has adopted sanctions in alignment with the European Union’s sanctions regime, Syria TV writes.
A revolution is supposed to transform society, often driven by a clear vision for the future and a commitment to radical change, Wael Sawah writes.
Prime Minister of Syria, Hussein Arnous, made a significant visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran Chancery in Damascus to denounce the assault, al-Baath reported.
Pedersen aims to advance discussions on the ninth round of the Constitutional Committee talks, according to al-Watan.
Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria.
Rifaat al-Assad stands accused of “murder, torture, cruel treatment, and unlawful arrests in Syria in February 1982”, according to Enab Baladi.
The humanitarian exemption was initiated by Switzerland in response to the earthquake that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria in February 2023, according to Syria TV
Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria.
The Iranian foreign minister asserted that the fate of the war would be determined by the resistance factions, not Israel, according to al-Watan.
Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria.
Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria.
Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria.
Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria.
The February 6th earthquake exacerbated existing shortages in the country.
Pedersen said a political solution in Syria is becoming more complex, according to al-Watan.
Switzerland expresses concerns over Turkey’s policy in Syria, Israel drops flyers over Quneitera and HTS reportedly involved in ISIS leader killing. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend.
Switzerland said it is making efforts to ensure that all Russian official delegations can come to Geneva to work in the best conditions, according to al-Watan.
Lafarge agreed to forfeit $687m and pay a fine of $90m in its guilty plea, according to al-Jazeera.
Pedersen said he told the Astana ministers that “none of you can dictate the outcome of the conflict.”
Representatives meeting in Geneva underlined the importance of advancing with the political process.
Russia used the Syrian file to send political messages related to Syria itself, but also the war in Ukraine. A look at what the press said.
The SDF insists on rehabilitating the Lafarge plant to produce 3 million tons of black cement by next month, according to al-Watan.
Bilateral ties between Syria and the DPRK (North Korea) are an example for the world, according to SANA.
The European Union has included five women from the al-Assad family on its sanctions list, according to al-Souria Net.
Abdel Halim Khaddam, the former vice president of the Syrian regime, and Muhammad Makhlouf, Bashar al-Assad’s uncle are said to hold millions at a swiss bank, according to Syria TV.
Syria’s permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva said that Switzerland has handed over three artifacts from Palmyra to Damascus, according to al-Hal.
The representative of the AANES in Switzerland expressed “regret” at Syria’s condemnation of the opening of an AANES office in Geneva, according to North Press.
Syria officially denounced Switzerland’s decision to allow the AANES to open a representative office in Geneva, according to SANA.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Swiss Chargé d’Affaires in Turkey to protest against the opening of an AANES Office in Switzerland, according to North Press.
Reports claim that Swiss exports of chemical products to Syria, supposedly for industrial use, ended up feeding the regime’s arsenal, Swiss Info claims.
The Syrian Opposition Coalition held a virtual meeting with the Swiss NGO Geneva Call, to discuss humanitarian norms during armed conflict, according to the Syrian National Coalition.
Following meetings with Geir Pedersen, a date has been agreed for the next meeting of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva, coronavirus depending reports Al- Watan.
Hadi al-Bahra has said that the Constitutional Committee will go ahead and will not be postponed unless the coronavirus situation changes in Switzerland writes Shaam Network.
Syrian banknotes are still finding their way into opposition held areas, despite the closed borders and the security concerns writes Iqtissad.
Syrian economists have suggested that the ongoing spread of coronavirus could have a major impact on the Syrian economy writes Iqtissad.
Although the exported materials can be used in manufacturing drugs, they are also used in producing chemical weapons such as sarin gas writes Asharq al-Awsat.
The new Syrian National Initiative hopes to put the decision making process back into the hands of Syrians and move the country towards a state of law reports Etihad Press.
Event aims at further integrating children with special needs into society, Zeitoun reports
Lead opposition negotiator offers signals possible involvement in the Russian track, but says achieving progress in Geneva would make Sochi pointless
Regime representatives walked out of negotiations earlier this month after publicly rejecting the opposition’s stance on Assad remaining in power
Delegation previously delayed its attendance to the negotiations in response to opposition demands for Assad to step down
Syrian government source says the opposition’s renewed demands for Assad to step down was a ‘return to square one,’ Al-Etihad reports
Russian diplomat says success of the Moscow-backed talks have motivated the U.N. to restart negotiations in Switzerland, SANA reports
The government’s delegation reached Geneva yesterday as the seventh round of talks with the opposition is set to start
State media reports government delegates meet with international envoy on second day of U.N.-backed talks
Sixth round of intra-Syrian negotiations kicks off with meeting between Syrian government and U.N. envoy, state media reports
Al-Hayat columnist Ibrahim Hamidi highlights four observations in the aftermath of the first American strike on Syrian army positions, explaining that the coming days will show which of two tracks will be taken by Russian and the U.S. in response — military escalation between the two superpowers, or a renewed interest in a military-political agreement
U.N. envoy for Syria discusses queries from government delegates while touching on issues concerning a possible transitional process, state media reports
Gatilov avoids making comments on the progress of the ongoing intra-Syrian talks, stating that a number of meetings are still to take place with different Syrian participants
ISIS militants are still present in parts of the town and the rebels are in control of less than half of it
De Mistura expresses reservations over success of Geneva 4 if a political solution is not reached and states that US position is still unknown
Russian FM meets with counterpart Abdrakhmanov to discuss preparations for the upcoming Syrian peace talks to be held in the Kazakh capital next week
Deputy head of the Syrian Interim Government expresses hope that a Trump presidency will contribute to Turkey’s efforts to ensure a successful ceasefire in Syria
Swiss aid delegates confirm plans to open office in the Syrian capital during meeting to discuss increasing cooperation in development
Following is the full text of the interview, as appeared on SANA, the official news agency
Opposition leader urges states to help end Assad and Russia’s bombardment of Aleppo’s residential areas which have killed hundreds of civilians in the past days
Humanitarian corridors should not be used to supply terrorists with weapons and fighters if serious about reaching a solution to the crisis in Aleppo, says Churkin
Swiss delegation agrees to bolster humanitarian and relief support for Syria in coordination with Damascus
Swiss development organization delivers a dozen ambulances to Syrian Red Crescent to assist in emergency work
Abdelrahman Hajj says he may face harm if returned to Saudi Arabia after his ex-business partner and guarantor accused him of fraud
Center for monitoring the cessation of hostilities agreement in Syria launches in Geneva, top Russian diplomat announces
Head of government negotiating delegation says he sensed an “understanding” from the UN team regarding Syria’s concerns for state-backed terrorism
Strikes on Aleppo city and Damascus countryside kill dozens including women and children as peace talks in Geneva come to a halt
Syrian foreign minister restates government will not accept preconditions imposed by any side ahead of upcoming peace talks in Geneva on Wednesday
Moscow informed opposition members of the need to achieve political transition without addressing fate of Assad, source reveals
Opposition spokesman says Syrians deserve to be alleviated from years of suffering “under the crimes of the Assad regime”
Members of the Syrian opposition delegation arrive in Switzerland on Saturday ahead of second round of UN-backed peace talks
Foreign minister says government delegation will kick off talks by meeting with UN envoy de Mistura on Monday
Moscow says it supports the solution that the participants of the Syria negotiations decide on, including the idea of creating a federal state
Opposition delegation attended Geneva with the intention of foiling the dialogue, Syria’s head negotiator tells Lebanese reporters
Top diplomats meet in the Iranian capital to discuss distribution of aid to the Syrian people
Swiss delegation briefed by Syrian officials on ways to increase humanitarian and relief work inside the war-torn country
Meeting aims to discuss prospects for a political solution in light of the recent developments in Syria
Syrian dissident says Coalition seeks to form a non-partisan transitional administration with the aim of open and neutral governance
UN envoy described consultations with the Iranian ambassador as ‘positive and constructive’
Remaining silent on terrorists’ crimes will encourage further acts of terror, President Assad tells UN envoy de Mistura
UN envoy arrives in Damascus for talks with Syrian officials in a fresh bid to resolve the country’s four-year war
Announcement comes as US Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in highest-level US visit to Russia since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis in 2013
UN special envoy says an official invitation was directed to the Iranian foreign minister to attend the conference in Geneva this May
Talks between the Syrian government and opposition figures will be held separately at the upcoming Geneva talks in May
Deputy foreign minister reveals a third round of Syrian-Syrian talks will likely be held in the Swiss city of Geneva in May
Representatives met in Tehran to discuss possible solutions for combatting regional threats
Syria welcomes framework agreement between Iran and the P5 1 on Iranian nuclear aspirations
UN delegate claims political settlement to the Syrian crisis is only achievable through dialogue with regime
The Syrian Observer publishes the statement that was signed by 57 Syrian and international rights groups as translated and published by the VDC
Daraya’s local council is currently governing the affairs of around 6,600 residents who remained in this city, out of an estimated population of 300,000 before the start of the uprising in 2011
The document reiterates the opposition’s calls for the implementation of the findings of a previous international conference on the conflict in Syria—the formation of an “Transitional Governing Body” with full sovereign powers—as well as measures to improve “the appalling humanitarian situation on the ground” in the country
Alla gave a briefing on humanitarian conditions in Syria, underlining the government’s special attention on the humanitarian issues
Father Frans, a Jesuit, arrived in Syria in 1966 after spending two years in Lebanon studying Arabic.
Syria’s armed conflict escalated even further in 2013 as the government intensified its attacks and began using increasingly deadly and indiscriminate weapons, culminating in a chemical weapons attack on the Damascus countryside on August 21
No way Assad to be part of the transition plan, and he could not regain legitimacy to govern, Kerry says
The group has long insisted that it refuses to negotiate until President Bashar al-Assad’s regime exits power
Speaking exclusively to Asharq Al-Awsat, Qadri Jamil denies claims he was proposed as a potential replacement to Assad by the Russians
FSA’s chief of staff, General Salim Idris, admitted to a “lack of material resources necessary to create a unified body”
The opposition says it will not negotiate unless President Bashar al-Assad leaves office
Source says Russia insists Assad must run in elections
A study conducted by the British Institute for Defense (IHS Jane’s) showed Jihadists and extremists form half of the armed terrorist groups in Syria
World leaders warn against military action without a U.N. mandate
Syria’s opposition and government are preparing to take part in an internationally-sponsored peace conference, the United Nations-Arab League mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said on Tuesday.
Several bodies of international law provide standards applicable to the Syrian crisis, including international humanitarian law, international criminal law, and international human rights law
US ambassador to Syria Robert Ford, who left Damascus almost a year ago, said that there isn’t enough evidence to support claims of a chemical attack but that the issue was under investigation.
US ambassador to Syria Robert Ford, who left Damascus almost a year ago, said that there isn’t enough evidence to support claims of a chemical attack but that the issue was under investigation.