Key points
- Ahmed Al-Sharaa arrived in Riyadh on Sunday
- Syrian leader thanked Saudi Arabia for its support
- Al-Sharaa on first foreign trip since taking office
ISLAMABAD: Syrian Arab Republic President Ahmed Al-Sharaa performed Umrah during his visit to Saudi Arabia.
Ahmed Al-Sharaa arrived in Riyadh on Sunday during his first foreign trip since taking office.
The leader met Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discussed ways to support the security and stability of Syria.
According to Arab News, Al-Sharaa visited the headquarters of the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence in Riyadh on Monday before heading to Makkah.
Warm welcome
Saudi Gazette reported that he was received by Deputy Emir of Makkah Prince Saud bin Mishal upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
At King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, several senior Saudi officials bid farewell to the Syrian president including Prince Faisal bin Bandar, Emir of Riyadh; Minister of State and Cabinet Member Mohammed bin Abdulmalik Al Al-Sheikh, who served as the accompanying minister; Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Secretary of the Riyadh Region; Royal Court Advisor Khaled Hadrawi; Saudi Ambassador to Syria Faisal Al-Mujfel; Acting Director of Riyadh Police Major General Mansour Al-Otaibi; and Royal Protocol Deputy Fahd Al-Suhail.
Gratitude
President al-Sharaa after his talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed his gratitude to the Crown Prince for Saudi Arabia’s sincere support for Syria and its people.
In a statement published by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), he said, “We discussed the latest developments in Syria and explored ways to enhance security and stability in our brotherly nation.”
He further noted that he had witnessed a genuine desire from Saudi Arabia to support Syria’s future, uphold the Syrian people’s aspirations, and safeguard the country’s unity and territorial integrity.
Al-Sharaa also emphasised that political and diplomatic cooperation between Syria and Saudi Arabia will continue to strengthen.
