Germany’s foreign minister says sanctions against Syrian officials responsible for war crimes must remain in place but called for a “smart approach” to provide relief to the Syrian population after last month’s overthrow of President Bashar Assad.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has advocated a relaxation of some EU sanctions against Syria following the ouster of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad. "We as an international community must not let the chance of a future for Syria pass us by,