Asaad Al-Shaibani arrived in Riyadh in his first abroad go to because the elimination of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.
Syria’s prime diplomat says he hopes to open a “new, shiny web page” with Saudi Arabia upon arriving within the kingdom, the primary overseas go to for Syria’s new rulers.
The go to, which started late on Wednesday, got here lower than a month after former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was ousted by rebel forces on December 8.
“I’ve simply arrived within the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, accompanied by the Minister of Defence Murhaf Abu Qasra and the Head of the Common Intelligence Service Anas Khattab,” Asaad al-Shaibani posted on X.
“By this primary go to within the historical past of Free Syria, we aspire to open a brand new, shiny web page in Syrian-Saudi relations that befits the lengthy shared historical past between the 2 nations,” he added.
Al-Shaibani was appointed overseas minister on December 21 by Syria’s interim authorities, changing into the nation’s first prime diplomat since al-Assad’s overthrow.
Earlier on Wednesday, Syrian state media mentioned the delegation was visiting the kingdom “on the invitation of the Saudi overseas minister”.
A press release shared by Syria’s International Ministry mentioned Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of International Affairs Waleed bin Abdulkarim El Khereiji acquired the delegation on the worldwide airport in Riyadh.
The Syrian delegation contains Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and Common Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab, underscoring the go to’s diplomatic and strategic significance.
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera aired on Tuesday, al-Shaibani referred to as for the lifting of all Western sanctions on Syria as he detailed the brand new administration’s plans for the nation’s future.
Adam Clements, a former US diplomat and Pentagon official, mentioned Saudi Arabia is working to determine sturdy ties with Syria as Iran loses its affect over the nation.
“I believe that is very important,” he instructed Al Jazeera on Thursday. He mentioned that from a “diplomatic standpoint”, Riyadh needs to forge stronger ties with the brand new Syrian administration.
“Saudi Arabia would have a giant function as nicely … on the outset of development and reconstruction. Syria may be very depending on Iran for oil and gas, and so I believe Gulf States may additionally assist that as nicely,” he mentioned.
In an interview with Saudi-owned Al Arabiya tv on Sunday, Syria’s de facto chief Ahmed al-Sharaa, also referred to as Abu Mohammed al-Julani mentioned Riyadh “will definitely have a big function in Syria’s future”, pointing to “a giant funding alternative for all neighbouring nations”.
Al-Sharaa heads the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that led the insurgent offensive that ousted al-Assad.
Syria’s economic system and infrastructure have been devastated by greater than 13 years of civil conflict that started with a crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011.
Saudi Arabia severed ties with al-Assad’s authorities in 2012 and backed Syrian rebels looking for to overthrow him early within the nation’s civil conflict. In 2023, the Arab League readmitted Syria after greater than a decade of suspension.