US envoy Thomas Barrack raised the American flag at the ambassador's residence in Damascus, marking a significant step towards improved relations between the US and Syria. The ceremony was attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani among others.
The US closed its embassy in 2011 following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war under Bashar al-Assad's regime. Barrack, currently the US ambassador to Ankara, was appointed as special envoy to Syria on May 23. This is his first visit to Syria in this capacity.