The United Kingdom is re-establishing full ties with Syria following the toppling of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, foreign minister David Lammy said during a visit to Damascus on Saturday.

DAMASCUS, Syria — British Foreign Secretary David Lammy met in Damascus on Saturday with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, marking the restoration of relations after 14 years of tension during Syria’s conflict and Assad family rule.

Britain reestablished full diplomatic relations with Syria on Saturday, more than a decade after cutting ties, as Foreign Secretary David Lammy met the country's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus.