Syrian foreign minister to make first official visit to Saudi Arabia

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani announced that he will make his first official overseas visit to Saudi Arabia following an invitation from Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

In a statement posted on his X account on Monday, al-Shaibani expressed his honour at representing Syria on this significant diplomatic trip. "I am honoured to represent my country on my first official visit (to Saudi Arabia)," he stated, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

Al-Shaibani also emphasised the importance of strengthening ties between Syria and Saudi Arabia. "We look forward to building strategic relations with our brothers in the kingdom in all fields," he added.

The foreign minister further revealed that the visit is scheduled for the "first week of the new year" and described the trip as a positive step toward restoring Syria's influence in the Arab world. "This visit is a gesture of goodwill and a step toward restoring Syria's role in the Arab world," he remarked. Al-Shaibani highlighted that he intends to listen to Saudi Arabia's views and explore ways to accelerate Syria's reconstruction efforts following years of conflict.

Al-Shaibani’s visit comes at a pivotal time for Syria, as the country seeks to rebuild its political and diplomatic standing in the region. He was appointed as Syria's foreign minister on December 21 by the interim government, following the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Assad, who had ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on December 8 after anti-regime forces gained control of Damascus, marking the end of the Baath Party's rule since 1963.