Saudi top diplomat says ‘at vanguard’ of efforts to rebuild Syria

AFP | Damascus, Syria

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Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan travelled to Damascus yesterday, where he said his country would be at the forefront of efforts to rebuild Syria after nearly 14 years of civil war.

Prince Faisal had landed in the Syrian capital earlier, alongside an economic delegation on a visit to discuss ways to support Syria’s war-ravaged economy, authorities said.

“We affirm that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will remain at the vanguard of countries standing by Syria in its path towards reconstruction and economic recovery,” Prince Faisal said in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart.

Saudi Arabia “will present joint financial support alongside Qatar to public sector workers” in Syria, he added, while pointing to interest in Syria from Saudi investors.

He said Saudi economic delegations would visit Damascus soon, noting that “work is underway to discuss investment support and economic and trade cooperation” between the two countries.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, meanwhile, expressed his country’s thanks “for the role Saudi Arabia has played, particularly on the lifting of sanctions” by the United States.

Shaibani pointed to “strategic initiatives aiming to restore infrastructure, replenish agriculture... and create real job opportunities for Syrians”.

Prince Faisal met Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and visited Damascus’s famous Umayyad Mosque alongside Shaibani.