But unless it suspends sanctions on Syria now, the country faces economic collapse. It would then surely become a failed state, and spread mayhem to its neighbours. As we explain in our Briefing this week and an online profile,

The UK government on Thursday lifted sanctions imposed during the rule of the former Syrian leader Bashar Al Assad against 24 entities including Syria's Central Bank, a statement said. The UK government said last month it planned to ease sanctions after the new Syrian government sought to persuade Western capitals that the rebels that toppled Assad,

Britain on Thursday unfroze the assets of Syria's central bank and 23 other entities including banks and oil companies, reversing sanctions imposed during Bashar al-Assad's presidency. The West is rethinking its approach to Syria after insurgent forces led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ousted Assad as president in December after more than 13 years of civil war.