RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman has stressed that it’s time for Syria to achieve stability and progress after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad ending the family’s five-decade rule.
Prince Khalid made the remarks after discussions with a Syrian delegation led by Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani in Riyadh on Thursday, the Saudi Gazette reported.
Prince Khalid bin Salman in a statement on X said: “Met with the New Syrian Administration’s Foreign Minister, Defence 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.” “Our brothers and sisters in Syria have suffered years of war, destruction, and difficult living conditions.”
During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments in Syria and ways to support the transitional political process in the country according to the aspirations of the Syrian people while ensuring the security, stability, and territorial integrity of Syria.
Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan also met with his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh.
A high-level Syrian delegation headed by Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani arrived in Saudi Arabia Wednesday night.
The delegation, which includes Defence Minister Marahf Abu Qasra and Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab, was received by Saudi Deputy FM Waleed Elkhereiji at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
Speaking on the occasion, Assad Al-Shaibani emphasised that the new political administration in Syria is committed to building relationships that honour the shared history of the two nations.
“The political administration in Syria aspires to open a new and bright chapter in its relations with Saudi Arabia,” Al-Shaibani said.
Saudi Arabia has also launched a humanitarian air bridge to Syria to deliver food, shelter, and medical supplies. The air bridge, established by the Saudi aid agency, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), aims to alleviate the effects of the difficult conditions currently facing the Syrian people.
Syria’s new leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, has said Saudi Arabia has a major role to play in his country’s future. “Saudi Arabia has a major role in Syria’s future, and I take pride in everything it has done for us,” he said during an interview with Al Arabiya.
Al-Sharaa, leader of the Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) group, spearheaded an 11-day offensive that led to the ouster of Bashar al-Assad ending the family’s five-decade rule.
Last month, a high-ranking Saudi delegation headed by an advisor to the Royal Court visited Syria and met with Al-Sharaa in Damascus.
