Germany’s foreign minister says sanctions against Syrian officials responsible for war crimes must remain in place but called for a “smart approach” to provide relief to the Syrian population after last month’s overthrow of President Bashar Assad.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has advocated a relaxation of some EU sanctions against Syria following the ouster of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad. "We as an international community must not let the chance of a future for Syria pass us by,

The sanctions currently in place are primarily against the former government of Bashar al-Assad and his allies.

Saudi Arabia urged top European diplomats at a gathering Sunday to lift sanctions against Syria to boost rebuilding the country and its economy after last month’s overthrow of President Bashar Assad.

The country's new rulers have been pushing for sanctions relief since overthrowing Bashar al-Assad's government last month

Top diplomats from the Middle East and Europe arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Sunday to discuss Syria, as world powers push for stability after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The talks – which come a month after Islamist-led rebels toppled Assad – will include a meeting of Arab officials as well as a broader gathering also including Turkey,

Western and Arab powers were meeting in Riyadh on Sunday to discuss the future of post-Assad Syria as Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, the rebel group that brought down the former regime last month, builds a monopoly on power in Damascus.