Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have extended their congratulations to Ahmed al-Sharaa following his appointment as Syria's interim president, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency on Thursday.

The Saudi King conveyed his "sincere wishes" to the newly named transitional leader, expressing hope that al-Sharaa will guide Syria toward a bright future. Similarly, the Crown Prince offered his best wishes, stating that he hopes al-Sharaa will successfully "lead his country towards a bright future and achieve further progress and prosperity for Syrians." Additionally, the Saudi government extended well-wishes to the Syrian people, expressing hopes for "more progress and well-being."

Shifting Leadership in Syria

On Wednesday, Hassan Abdel Ghani, the official spokesperson for the newly formed military operations sector, announced that al-Sharaa had been officially proclaimed Syria's interim president. His appointment marks a significant shift in the country's leadership, following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad and the rise of a transitional administration.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, is a key leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an armed faction previously affiliated to al-Qaeda. His new role as Syria's head of state comes with a pledge to steer the country through a transitional phase, including forming an interim legislative council, drafting a new constitution, and holding elections. Al-Sharaa has outlined a roadmap for a four-year transition that aims to stabilize Syria and rebuild state institutions.

Saudi-Syria Relations 

Saudi Arabia's recognition of al-Sharaa's leadership signals a shift in its approach to Syria. Riyadh, which severed ties with Damascus in 2012 and backed opposition factions during the early years of the war, has gradually shifted toward diplomatic engagement. In May 2023, Saudi Arabia restored relations with Syria, reopening its embassy and taking steps toward reconciliation with the al-Assad government.

However, with Assad now ousted, Saudi Arabia appears to be aligning itself with Syria's new leadership. Earlier this month, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani visited Riyadh, marking the first official visit by a member of Syria's interim government. Discussions focused on supporting Syria's transition and strengthening bilateral relations. Additionally, Saudi officials have been in talks with Western governments about lifting economic sanctions on Syria to facilitate reconstruction efforts.

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