Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets King Charles III and PM Keir Starmer in London, discussing Hormuz, migration and counter-terrorism cooperation.
LONDON: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Tuesday. The visit marks his first official trip to Britain since ousting former president Bashar al-Assad in 2024.
King Charles held an audience with Sharaa at Buckingham Palace. The former Islamist rebel leader’s visit follows the UK’s resumption of diplomatic relations with Syria in July 2025.
Earlier, Sharaa discussed the war with Iran in talks with Starmer at Downing Street. A spokesperson said the leaders agreed on the need for a viable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
They agreed to work with others to restore freedom of navigation. The prolonged closure of the strait has caused severe economic impact.
Starmer welcomed the Syrian government’s action against the Islamic State group. He also noted progress on counter-terrorism cooperation.
The British prime minister urged closer work together on returns of illegal migrants. He also called for cooperation on border security and tackling people smuggling networks.
Between 2011 and 2021, nearly 31,000 Syrians were granted asylum in Britain. This followed the civil war that sparked a refugee crisis.
The visit followed a trip to Damascus by then foreign minister David Lammy. It was the first visit to Syria by a British minister in 14 years.
The UK government said its engagement aims to support Syria’s political transition. It also seeks to assist economic recovery and address chemical weapons issues.
Sectarian tensions continue to cause repeated bloodshed in Syria under Sharaa. The Islamic State group also remains at large in the country.
Sharaa met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Monday. He is seeking to insulate Syria from the repercussions of the current Middle East war.
Germany is home to the largest Syrian diaspora in the EU at more than a million. Many arrived during the peak of the migrant influx in 2015-2016.
Merz said he and Sharaa agreed eight out of 10 Syrians in Germany should return over the next three years. The chancellor has made tougher immigration policy a priority since taking office last year.