The Latest Breaking News from Damascus

Syria's new rulers stepped up engagement on Tuesday with countries that deemed ousted president Bashar al-Assad a pariah, with the French flag raised at the embassy for the first time in over a decade.

A French diplomatic mission will travel to the Syrian capital Damascus this Tuesday to reestablish contact after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, acting Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said. Likewise, the US, the UK and other countries are investigating how they might normalise relations with the new regime.

Western powers are looking to establish contact with Syria's new rulers, aiming to avoid Iraq- or Libya-style chaos after the fall of the Assad regime to Islamist-led rebels.

Bashar Assad's departure, new Syrian leadership, U.S. talks, IS threat, Israeli airstrikes - recent developments in Syria.

Remarks attributed to al-Assad, released by the Syrian presidency’s Telegram, say state fell into ‘hands of terrorism’.

Burnt-out rooms reveal extent of lucrative regime-supported operation to smuggle drug across region

Former Syrian leader claimed he wanted to stay and fight but left after Russian airbase came under attack

A rebel force has deployed to a village in southeastern Damascus to stop looters who swarmed a residential complex in the area and set some apartments on fire

While Israel continues blitz on sites in Syria, new administration in Damascus forges ahead with international outreach.