Qatar, Syria begin strategic cooperation as embassy reopens

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Dec 2024 20:25
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Syria's new leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa describes Qatar's involvement in Syria's next phase as "effective and important."

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Qatari Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi met Monday in Damascus with the leader of the new administration of the Syrian Arab Republic Ahmed Al Sharaa. (Qatari Foreign Ministry)

Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the leader of the new regime in Syria, has invited Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to visit Damascus, signaling a new chapter in bilateral relations between the two nations.

In a meeting with a high-level Qatari delegation, Al-Sharaa announced the launch of extensive strategic cooperation with Qatar.

Speaking to reporters, Al-Sharaa described Qatar's involvement in Syria's next phase as "effective and important," underscoring the growing collaboration between the two sides.

Minister of State at Ministry of Foreign Affairs @Dr_Al_Khulaifi: In-Depth Consultations Held with Leader of New Administration of Syria on the Country’s Future

🔗Read More: https://t.co/FCKFOhnPvb #MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/GrEiypnsjb
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) December 23, 2024

Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, on his part, discussed the transitional period with Al-Sharaa during the visit.

"The Syrian people will be the masters of their own decisions and will not be subject to external guardianship," Al-Khulaifi stated.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, confirmed the visit in a post shared on X.

HE @Dr_Al_Khulaifi arrived in Damascus earlier today on board the 1st Qatar Airways plane to land at the Syrian airport since the fall of Bashar Al-Assad's regime, as the head of a high-level Qatari delegation HE will hold a series of meetings with Syrian officials to embody…
— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) December 23, 2024

This visit comes as Qatar officially reopened its embassy in Damascus last Saturday after a 13-year closure. The Qatari flag was raised over the embassy building, marking a symbolic step in restoring diplomatic ties.