The president is accompanied by the country’s foreign minister, Asaad Hassan Al-Shibani
News Desk
RIYADH: The President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, met with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday on his first foreign trip since taking office, Saudi state media reported.
Syrian state news Agency reported the president was accompanied by the country’s foreign minister, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani.
A picture posted on social media platform X by the Syrian Arab Republic’s presidency showed Al-Sharaa and Al-Shaibani en route to Saudi Arabia.
Al-Sharaa became president after the toppling of the regime of Bashar Assad in December last year.
Last month, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, visited Damascus and said the Kingdom was engaged in talks with the US and European partners to help lift economic sanctions imposed on the Syrian Arab Republic that have left the country’s economy decimated.
However, concerns over al-Sharaa’s past membership of al-Qaeda have tempered support from some quarters, even as Syria’s new leadership emphasises regional integration and protections for religious and ethnic minorities.
During a visit to Damascus last week, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said his country was engaged in an active dialogue with Europe and the United States to help lift economic sanctions imposed on Syria.
Bin Javaid said al-Sharaa’s visit intended to remind Saudi officials of that promise and obtain all possible help in rebuilding Syria’s infrastructure, government and institutions.
Additionally, the trip to Riyadh symbolises a “seismic shift in the country’s alignment and future relations” away from the toppled President Bashar al-Assad’s allegiance to Iran and Russia.
Last month, al-Sharaa told during am interview that Saudi Arabia “will certainly have a large role in Syria’s future”, pointing to “a big investment opportunity for all neighbouring countries”.
