Syria’s new leader Mohammed al-Jolani met with British diplomats in Damascus as he called for sanctions to be lifted.

Jolani, the leader of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the UK, met with Foreign Office officials including Ann Snow, the special representative for Syria.

The meeting is believed to be the first of its kind with Western diplomats. France said a similar mission is due to meet with HTS leaders on Tuesday, while the US has said it has opened direct talks.

It comes as Jolani told international journalists on Monday that sanctions and restrictions should be lifted on the rebel group and Syria.

“They should lift all restrictions, which were imposed on the flogger and the victim - the flogger is gone now. This issue is not up for negotiation,” he said.

Jolani, a nom de guerre, has begun using his original name of Ahmad al-Sharaa in recent days and ditched his military fatigues in favour of a sharp suit and brogues.