Saudi foreign minister arrives in Syria for economic talks

DAMASCUS: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Damascus on Saturday with an economic delegation on a visit to discuss ways to support Syria’s war-ravaged economy, authorities said.

Saudi Arabia has been one of the most important regional supporters of Syria’s new authorities, who took over after ousting longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December after nearly 14 years of civil war.

On a visit to Riyadh earlier this month, US President Donald Trump said he would lift US sanctions on Syria, a move that paves the way for economic recovery in the war-torn country.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani welcomed Prince Faisal, who is “heading a high-level delegation”, on arrival at Damascus airport, a Syria foreign ministry statement said.

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The pair were scheduled to hold a press conference this afternoon.

A Saudi foreign ministry statement said Prince Faisal would meet with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and “the high-level economic delegation” would hold talks with Syrian officials about ways of cooperating “that contribute to supporting Syria’s economy and strengthen institution building”.

In February, Sharaa visited Saudi Arabia in his first trip abroad as president.

Last month, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, another key backer of the new authorities, announced they would settle Syria’s debt to the World Bank totalling roughly $15 million.

Damascus is hoping that the lifting of sanctions, particularly by the United States, will pave the way for support from the international community.

Years of war and sanctions have battered the country’s economy, infrastructure and industry.

A recent United Nations Development Programme report estimated Syria’s “lost GDP” during the 2011-2024 war to be around $800 billion.

Prince Faisal first visited Syria’s new authorities in January.