Syria’s Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shibani expressed hopes for a “new, bright page” in relations with Saudi Arabia during his visit to the kingdom on Wednesday. This marks the first foreign trip by Syria’s new leadership, following their rise to power last month.
Accompanied by Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and General Intelligence Service Chief Anas Khattab, al-Shibani announced the visit via a statement on X, emphasizing the shared history between Syria and Saudi Arabia.
“This visit as representatives of Free Syria is a step toward fostering relations that reflect the deep ties between our nations,” he stated.
The Syrian delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, according to Syrian state media. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji welcomed the officials at Riyadh’s international airport, with photos released showing cordial interactions and diplomatic discussions.
The visit comes just weeks after Saudi representatives met Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Damascus. Al-Sharaa is the head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, which led the December 8 rebellion that deposed President Bashar al-Assad.
During a recent interview with Saudi-owned Al Arabiya, Sharaa highlighted Saudi Arabia’s potential role in Syria’s reconstruction, calling it “a significant investment opportunity for neighboring countries.” Syria’s economy, ravaged by over a decade of civil war, requires substantial rebuilding efforts.
Saudi Arabia, which cut ties with Assad’s regime in 2012 and provided support to opposition forces during the civil war, restored diplomatic ties last year and helped Syria rejoin the Arab League.
However, the old government under Assad was criticized for its involvement in the production of captagon. The highly addictive narcotic that is popular in the Gulf became Syria’s top export, leaving an international stigma on the country.
This visit signifies a new beginning in Syrian-Saudi relations with the possibility of economic and diplomatic cooperation in the future, since both countries strive for regional stability and rebuilding.
