Saudi Defense Minister Meets with Syrian Delegation in Riyadh

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on Thursday received in his office in Riyadh a senior delegation from the new Syrian administration- a notation from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The Syrian delegation was represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad bin Hassan Al-Shaibani, Minister of Defense Major General Marhaf Abu Qasra, and Chief of the General Intelligence Service Anas Khattab.

Supporting Syria’s Stability

Both parties discussed the latest happenings in Syria and sought ways to promote the furtherance of the transitional political process in the country so that the aspirations of the Syrian people for stability, security, and unity could be realized.

According to Prince Khalid bin Salman, this meeting was "very fruitful" and he would always stand to support the Syrian people and Syria's stability.
Attending the Bamahal meeting were top-ranking Saudi officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Deputy Defense Minister Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed, and Chief of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan.

Syrian Delegation in Riyadh

Delegation from Syria to Saudi Arabia: It was on Wednesday night that the above stated Syrian delegates came to Saudi Arabia, where they were received by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

Earlier, Al-Shibani posted on his X account that he personally received an invitation from his fellow minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and this marks the first-ever trip abroad made by Al-Shibani since taking up office.

Praising Saudi Efforts

The last time a Saudi delegation was headed by an adviser to the Royal Court and met the new head of the Syrian administration, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in December 2024, was in Damascus.

In a recent television interview with Al-Arabiya, Al-Sharaa said that Saudi Arabia had supported Syria and played a critical role in the future of the country. "Saudi Arabia plays a vital role in the future of Syria, and I am very thankful for everything it has done for us," he said.

Furthermore, he mentioned his observation of the swift advances being made by the Kingdom under Vision 2030, with a similar opportunity for the hopeful future for Syria, as he stated further in the comments to Asharq Al-Awsat.