The British NGO behind Ahmed Shara’s suit: Inter Mediate

It has emerged that Inter Mediate is the British institution providing political consultancy services in Idlib to Ahmed al-Sharaa, referred to in reports as Syria’s interim President.

Robert Ford, the last US Ambassador to Syria, announced that he met with Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as al-Jolani, in Idlib in 2023. Ford stated he supported the process for al-Sharaa to depart from the “terrorist world” and transition into the political sphere: “In 2023, a British non-governmental organization specializing in conflict resolution invited me to help with their efforts to get this man out of the terrorist world and into normal politics.”

According to a report by Independent Arabia, based on sources, the institution that facilitated Ford’s advisory role to al-Sharaa in Idlib is the London-based non-governmental organization Inter Mediate.

Founder of Inter Mediate is the UK’s National Security Advisor

According to Inter Mediate’s official website, the organization mediates in complex conflicts and contributes to negotiations. The institution was founded in 2011 by Jonathan Powell, who previously served as chief of staff to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Jonathan Powell stepped down from the organization last December after being appointed National Security Advisor by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In his new role, he oversees the coordination of foreign policy, security, defense, European relations, and international economic affairs for the British Prime Minister’s Office.

Among the co-founders of Inter Mediate is British diplomat Martin Griffiths, the former UN Special Envoy for Yemen and, until July of last year, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

Specializing in conducting confidential dialogues

Asharq Al-Awsat, citing Independent Arabia, reports that the British institution aims to initiate “meaningful and confidential dialogues,” particularly in conflicts where effective communication channels are lacking. According to its official website, the organization serves as a communication platform for parties involved in conflicts worldwide. It leverages the expertise and knowledge of high-level politicians, diplomats, and specialists, sharing experiences from previous peace processes to address the specific needs of the conflicting parties.

New executive director of Palestinian and Jewish heritage

Following Powell’s departure, the institution’s board of trustees announced the appointment of Claire Hajaj as the new executive director, effective December 2, 2024. According to the institution’s website, Hajaj, who is of Palestinian and Jewish heritage, joined the organization in 2018, serving as Policy Director and subsequently as Deputy CEO.

Hajaj commenced her career in conflict resolution and negotiation in 2002 at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Counter-Terrorism Committee. For over two decades, she has contributed to negotiations in humanitarian, political, and security fields within conflict zones across the globe, including Lebanon, Kosovo, Iraq, Myanmar, Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Hajaj worked in the region with the UN Special Representative for Iraq during the peak of the insurgency following the US invasion.

According to the Inter Mediate website, the institution aims to utilize the resources of major entities, such as governments and international organizations, which annually allocate billions of dollars to manage the consequences of conflict through peacekeeping efforts and humanitarian interventions.

The Syrian Presidency, however, contended that Ford’s statements regarding his meetings with President al-Sharaa were “not true.” It was asserted that al-Sharaa had instead shared his Idlib experiences with foreign delegations in sessions he attended. The Syrian Presidency further indicated that the retired diplomat was part of a delegation from a British research and advisory organization.