Valerie Sanderson

Peter Bowes. For the first time since Syria's President Bashar al-Assad was toppled on the 8th of December, Syria's new interim rulers have been meeting top Western diplomats at a conference in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Their aim is to get sanctions on Damascus lifted. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, supports their demands.

Peter Bowes. For the first time since Syria's President Bashar al-Assad was toppled on the 8th of December, Syria's new interim rulers have been meeting top Western diplomats at a conference in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Their aim is to get sanctions on Damascus lifted. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, supports their demands.

But Germany's foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said it wouldn't be wise to remove all sanctions immediately.

But Germany's foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said it wouldn't be wise to remove all sanctions immediately.

Our Middle East regional editor, Mike Thompson, told me how the sanctions have affected the lives of ordinary Syrians.

Our Middle East regional editor, Mike Thompson, told me how the sanctions have affected the lives of ordinary Syrians.

So how much support is there, do you think, among Western leaders to lift sanctions? I mean, we heard there from Germany's foreign minister. What do other Western allies think?

So how much support is there, do you think, among Western leaders to lift sanctions? I mean, we heard there from Germany's foreign minister. What do other Western allies think?

Well, you say that Syria's new rulers are promising an inclusive and tolerant government. I mean, have they given any reassurances about women's rights and human rights?

Well, you say that Syria's new rulers are promising an inclusive and tolerant government. I mean, have they given any reassurances about women's rights and human rights?

Mike Thompson. Staying in Syria and the population there are facing an unprecedented threat from millions of mines and other discarded munitions as they return to their homes. Children are particularly at risk according to a demining charity, the Halo Trust. It says more than 80 people have been killed in the country since President Assad was toppled in late November.

Mike Thompson. Staying in Syria and the population there are facing an unprecedented threat from millions of mines and other discarded munitions as they return to their homes. Children are particularly at risk according to a demining charity, the Halo Trust. It says more than 80 people have been killed in the country since President Assad was toppled in late November.

due to landmines and explosives left in the ground. Last week, two civilians were killed and ten others injured after several mines exploded in the northern provinces of Idlib and Aleppo. Julian Warwicker spoke to HALO's Syria operations manager, Muad Al-Nufali, and asked him how big an issue clearing landmines is at the moment.

due to landmines and explosives left in the ground. Last week, two civilians were killed and ten others injured after several mines exploded in the northern provinces of Idlib and Aleppo. Julian Warwicker spoke to HALO's Syria operations manager, Muad Al-Nufali, and asked him how big an issue clearing landmines is at the moment.

Mouad Anafali, the Halo Trust's Syria operations manager. Iran says one of its nationals who was detained in Italy last month has returned home. Mohamed Abedini had been arrested on a US warrant, accused of supplying drone parts to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, or IRGC. His release comes just days after an Italian journalist held in Tehran was freed. Tehran insists the two cases aren't connected.

Mouad Anafali, the Halo Trust's Syria operations manager. Iran says one of its nationals who was detained in Italy last month has returned home. Mohamed Abedini had been arrested on a US warrant, accused of supplying drone parts to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, or IRGC. His release comes just days after an Italian journalist held in Tehran was freed. Tehran insists the two cases aren't connected.

Our Europe regional editor Paul Moss explained more about the background to the case.

Our Europe regional editor Paul Moss explained more about the background to the case.

And what about the Italian journalist held in Iran who's been freed?

And what about the Italian journalist held in Iran who's been freed?