Germany pushing for EU to relax sanctions on Syria, sources say

By Alexander Ratz

BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany is leading European Union discussions on easing sanctions imposed on the Syrian government of toppled President Bashar al-Assad and aiding the country's population, foreign ministry sources said on Tuesday.

"We are actively discussing ways to provide sanctions relief to the Syrian people in certain sectors," one of the sources said. This requires an unanimous EU decision.

Germany's foreign ministry declined to comment.

A lightning rebel offensive overthrew Assad on Dec. 8 and Islamist rebels Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the advance, set up a caretaker government.

The U.S. on Monday issued a six-month sanctions exemption for transactions with some government bodies to ease the flow of humanitarian assistance, address Syria's power shortages and allow personal remittances.

The EU, United States, Britain and other governments imposed tough sanctions on Syria after Assad's crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011 spiraled into civil war.

HTS has renounced its ties with Al Qaeda but is still designated a terrorist entity by the United Nations and U.S.

German officials first circulated thoughts on easing sanctions on Syria in documents sent to Brussels before Christmas.

The FT first reported on Tuesday that the documents outline how the EU could gradually ease restrictions on Damascus in return for progress on social issues, including safeguarding minority and women's rights and upholding commitments to ensuring non-proliferation of weapons.

The FT, citing an unnamed source familiar with the EU discussions, added that, like Washington, the bloc could make any easing of sanctions temporary to ensure that it could be reversed if necessary.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Friday traveled to Syria for a one-day trip with her French counterpart on behalf of the EU and met with HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Baerbock said during her visit that all Syrian groups including women and Kurds must be involved in the country's transition if Damascus wants European support.

(Reporting by Alexander Ratz in Berlin, Surbhi Misra in Bengaluru; Writing by Emma-Victoria Farr in Frankfurt; Editing by Gareth Jones, Hugh Lawson and Cynthia Osterman)