The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan has made an unannounced visit to Damascus, meeting with the leader of Syria’s de facto government.

The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, met with Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, on Friday, state media reported. The meeting comes in the wake of last month's ousting of Bashar al-Assad, sparking renewed hopes for justice for victims of the country’s long-running conflict.

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.

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)

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.