Saudi Arabia has called for an end to sanctions on Syria following meetings in Riyadh of 17 regional and western ministers and senior diplomats seeking to promote the country’s recovery.

European Union foreign ministers will meet in late January to discuss easing sanctions imposed on Syria, the bloc's foreign policy chief said Sunday. However, she said the move would depend on Syria's new rulers carrying out an inclusive political transition after last month’s overthrow of President Bashar Assad.

Six European Union member states have reportedly urged the bloc to temporarily lift sanctions on Syria in sectors like transport, energy, and banking.