**Opposition Leaders Urge New Syrian Leader to Recognize Georgia’s Territorial Integrity**
Four main opposition forces in Georgia have issued a joint appeal to the new leader of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa. They are calling on him to withdraw recognition of Russia-occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states.
The opposition leaders expressed support for the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship and the transition to a new government in Syria. In their letter, they stated that Georgia is fighting peacefully against an illegitimate regime backed by the Kremlin.
The appeal was signed by the United National Movement, Strong Georgia, Gakharia – For Georgia, and the Coalition for Change. They emphasized that Georgia’s occupied regions have only been recognized by a handful of Russian-backed authoritarian regimes, including Venezuela and Nicaragua.
**Historical Ties Between Georgia and Syria**
The opposition parties highlighted the “millennia-long” historical ties between Georgia and Syria. They stressed that the two nations have long shared mutual cooperation and friendship. The signatories argued that reversing Syria’s 2018 recognition of the occupied regions would be a significant step towards strengthening bilateral relations.
**New Syrian Leadership Offers Opportunity for Diplomatic Reset**
The appeal comes in the wake of a major political shift in Syria, where Assad’s rule has ended and Ahmed Al-Asharaa is now leading the country. Georgian opposition leaders hope that this transition will provide an opportunity for a diplomatic reset, aligning Syria with the broader international consensus.
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