Syria's new Islamist rulers said on Sunday that U.S. sanctions on Syria were an obstacle to the war-torn country's rapid recovery and urged Washington to lift them during a visit by Syrian officials to Qatar.

Qatar is weighing a plan to provide Syria's new rulers with funds to increase public sector salaries, a diplomatic source said Thursday, as the interim government in Damascus seeks to rebuild state institutions.

Could the return of Qatar Airways to Damascus tempt other international airlines to put the Syrian capital back on the route map?

DOHA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- A Qatari Air Force plane carrying 31 tons of food aid landed in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Thursday as part of the country's ongoing air bridge initiative to support the Syrian people, the Qatari Foreign Ministry announced.

The call, combined with various promises of economic and constitutional support to the Islamist regime led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaida affiliate, demonstrates how the imperialist powers intend to use Syria’s regime change to step up their war on Russia and prepare an all-out conflict with Iran.

"These sanctions constitute a barrier and an obstacle to the rapid recovery and development of the Syrian people who await services and partnerships from other countries," Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said after meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who also serves as foreign minister.

The country’s new leaders are pushing to restore a sense of normalcy. But Syria remains under a host of international sanctions imposed during the Assad regime.

The national airline of Qatar has announced that it will resume weekly flights to Syria 13 years after cancelling operations. Qatar Airways will offer three weekly flights between Qatar and Damascus, Syria, from Tuesday (7 January). In 2011, flights by the carrier to and from Damascus and Aleppo were cancelled amid Syria’s civil war.

Doha: The State of Qatar has always been backing Syria's unity, Sovereignty and independence, and its people's state-building aspirations, after a years-long war that demolished many of the country's capacities, said Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari.

A series of moves took place across Syria on Tuesday as the new authorities seek to restore normalcy and tackle longstanding infrastructure challenge

By bnm Gulf bureau Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani outlined plans for rebuilding Syria and discussed economic sanctions during extensive talks with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha on January 5.