British Foreign Secretary David Lammy met Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus on Saturday, restoring diplomatic ties after 14 years of conflict and tension.

The visit follows the ouster of Bashar Assad in December by al-Sharaa’s forces.

Britain pledged £94.5 million ($129 million) in new aid to support Syria’s recovery, humanitarian needs, and chemical weapons removal, the Associated Press has reported.

Lammy also visited Beirut to discuss border security with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who said Lebanon will boost army presence along the Israel border to 10,000 troops.

Written by B.C. Begley