Hundreds of Syrians will gather in Damascus on Tuesday for a one-day national dialogue conference, billed by the country's Islamist rulers as a key milestone in the transition to a new political system after decades of Assad rule.

A long-awaited national dialogue conference intended to help chart Syria’s political future after the fall of former President Bashar Assad is set to begin.

Syria's new authorities will hold a national dialogue conference starting on February 25 to discuss the country's future, two members of its preparatory committee said on Sunday. The committee's seven members consulted with some 4,

European Union countries suspended a range of sanctions against Syria with immediate effect on Monday, including restrictions related to energy, banking, transport and reconstruction.The EU has a range of sanctions in place targeting individuals and economic sectors in Syria.

The European Union is easing energy, transport and banking sanctions against Syria. It hopes to breathe life into Syria's economy and encourage its new leaders to work toward a peaceful future.

Sharaa’s interim government has been trying to court the international community to encourage investment and ease sanctions to allow Syria’s economy to recover.