Syrian President in Riyadh on his first trip abroad

 

Newly appointed President Ahmed al-Sharaa has landed in Saudi Arabia on his first international visit since his appointment and nearly two months after the overthrow of deposed President Bashar al-Assad.

Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is in Saudi Arabia, on his first foreign visit since he overthrew the regime of Bashar al-Assad in December, at the head of a coalition of armed groups. Accompanied by his foreign minister, Assad al-Shaibani, the president was greeted by Saudi officials upon disembarking from the plane, according to images broadcast by the state-run channel Al Ekhbariya.

The television indicated that Al-Sharaa is scheduled to meet with the crown prince and de facto ruler of the oil-rich country, Mohamed bin Salman, but did not specify when. Previously, the Syrian presidency had published a photo on the social network X of Al-Sharaa and Shaibani aboard what appeared to be a private jet, on their way to Saudi Arabia, illustrating a "first official visit." The country has, however, received delegations from other countries, including Russia and from countries in the European Union.

Al Sharaa was named interim president of Syria on Wednesday, in a closed-door meeting of the "general command of military operations", his coalition of Islamist armed groups that overthrew al-Assad on December 8. Saudi Arabia, a heavyweight in the Arab world and a Sunni power, congratulated al-Sharaa on Thursday on his appointment, and wished him "success".

Syrian authorities are counting on the rich Gulf nations to finance the reconstruction of the country, devastated by war, and to stimulate its economy. At the end of December, al-Sharaa said in an interview with the Saudi channel Al Arabiya that the kingdom "would certainly play an important role" in Syria's future, highlighting a "great investment opportunity". The leader said he was born in Saudi Arabia, where his father worked, and that he had lived there until he was seven.

lgc (afp, efe)