Saudi defense, foreign ministers receive Syrian counterparts in Riyadh
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Syria's foreign and defense ministers visit Saudi Arabia in the new government's first state visit.
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The Saudi foreign and defense ministers receive their Syrian counterparts in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, January 2, 2025. (@kbsalsaud /X)
Saudi Defense Minister Khaled bin Salman said on Thursday, during a meeting with a delegation from the new Syrian administration, “The time has come for Syria to become stable and rise” following the fall of [the governing] regime.
The visiting Syrian delegation included Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and Foreign Minister Assaad Hassan al-Shibani, and Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab.
Bin Salman further added in a post on X that their meeting discussed developments in Syria, as well as ways to support the “transitional political process” in the country.
Met with the New Syrian Administration's Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, and Intelligence Chief. We discussed developments in Syria and explored ways to support the transitional political process in achieving the Syrian people's aspirations for security, stability, and unity. pic.twitter.com/DPhnloQNe3
— Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) January 2, 2025
He further added, “Our brothers and sisters in Syria have suffered through years of war, destruction, and difficult living conditions; the time has come for Syria to gain stability and rise, and make use of its potential, the most important of which is its people.”
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan also met his new Syrian counterpart, discussing Syria’s new developments, and efforts to restore the state.
Bin Farhan reiterated Saudi Arabia’s position “in support of Syria’s stability and security, ensuring its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity
Syria’s foreign minister arrived in Riyadh yesterday following an invitation from his Saudi counterpart.
This visit is Shibani’s first following the establishment of the transitional government in Syria after the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad.
Other GCC-member countries have also had meetings and phone calls with the new Syrian regime's leaders, with officials from Bahrain and the UAE in particular holding talks with Syria's new leader and its foreign minister, promising support for Syria's stability and efforts to further increase ties.
