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.

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

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

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.

Damascus International Airport received its first civilian flight from Doha on Tuesday, marking the first arrival from Qatar in 13 years, according to airport officials. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua

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.

Syria's new rulers said on Sunday that US 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. "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,

Syria’s new foreign minister has met with his Qatari counterpart and Qatar’s prime minister in Doha on Sunday.

Delegation meets with Syrian health officials as relations between Doha, Damascus strengthen following fall of Assad regime - Anadolu Ajansı

Syria's new foreign minister had met with his Qatari counterpart and Qatar's prime minister in Doha on Sunday.