DAMASCUS – Syria’s new foreign minister, Assaad al-Shibani, arrived in Saudi Arabia on January 1st, marking the first foreign visit for Syria’s new leadership since they seized power last month. This visit signals a hopeful new chapter in Syrian-Saudi relations.
“I have just arrived in the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, accompanied by the Minister of Defence Murhaf Abu Qasra and the Head of the General Intelligence Service Anas Khattab,” Mr. Shibani announced on X (formerly Twitter). He expressed aspirations to renew the historical ties between the two nations.
Earlier, Syrian state media reported that the delegation’s visit came at the invitation of the Saudi foreign minister. Upon arrival at Riyadh’s international airport, the delegation was received by Saudi Arabia’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji.
Photos shared by Syria’s Foreign Ministry showed cordial handshakes and meetings between the Saudi officials and the Syrian delegation. The visit follows a recent meeting between a Saudi delegation and Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Damascus last month.
Mr. Sharaa, leader of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, led the offensive that ousted President Bashar al-Assad on December 8th. In a recent interview, Mr. Sharaa highlighted the potential for Saudi Arabia to play a significant role in Syria’s future, emphasizing investment opportunities for neighboring countries.
Syria, devastated by over 13 years of civil war, looks towards rebuilding its economy and infrastructure. Saudi Arabia, which severed ties with Assad’s government in 2012, had restored relations last year and played a key role in Syria’s return to the Arab League.
Despite past conflicts, this visit symbolizes a potential for renewed cooperation and shared interests between Syria and Saudi Arabia, paving the way for future collaboration.