THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan made an unannounced visit Friday to Damascus to confer with the leader of Syria’s de facto government on how to ensure accountability for alleged crimes committed in the country.

Chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, met Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday, state media reported, as last month's ouster of Bashar al-Assad sparks hopes for justice.

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan visited Damascus for discussions with Syria's transitional government. The visit aims to support accountability for alleged war crimes in the conflict that toppled Bashir al-Assad.

Khan’s visit included discussions with Syria’s Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, marking a significant step toward collaboration between the ICC and the Syrian authorities.

The ICC is actually equating Israel and Hamas, even as Hamas still holds Israelis and American hostages. It is just absurd,” the House Speaker said.

- Karim Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court looks up prior to a press conference in The Hague, Netherlands, Monday, July 3, 2023. (AP Photo/, File)