German diplomats visit Damascus in outreach to Syria's new leaders

German diplomats held talks in Damascus on Tuesday with Syria's new transitional government, the latest in a series of countries seeking to re-establish ties following the sudden fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, Report informs via DPA.

The German delegation met with representatives of the hardline Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led last week's overthrow of al-Assad's forces.

"The talks focused on the political transition process and our expectations regarding the protection of minorities and women's rights in order to support peaceful development in Syria," the German Foreign Office said in Berlin.

According to the statement, a representative of the HTS responsible for international contacts and the transitional government's education minister took part in the talks in the Syrian capital.

In addition, meetings were held with representatives of civil society and religious communities. The delegation also undertook an "initial inspection of the German Embassy building in Damascus."

The delegation, led by Middle East envoy Tobias Tunkel, also included a representative of the German Development Ministry.

The meetings came after British diplomats held talks on Monday with HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known by his nom de guerre Mohammed al-Joulani.

Last week, an alliance of insurgents led by HTS scored a rapid series of victories over al-Assad's forces and captured Damascus. Al-Assad fled the country for Russia, where he has since been granted asylum.