The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement following the Riyadh meetings that included officials from Arab and Western countries, held in the Saudi capital yesterday, Sunday, January 12.

According to the statement, the meeting discussed steps to support the Syrian people and provide assistance during this crucial time, helping to rebuild Syria as a unified, independent, and secure Arab state for all its citizens, free from terrorism and violations of its sovereignty or territorial integrity by any party.

The participants discussed supporting the political transition process, which involves the Syrian political and social forces, safeguarding the rights of Syrians, including diverse community participation, and addressing any challenges or concerns through dialogue, providing support, guidance, and advice while respecting Syria’s independence and sovereignty, emphasizing that Syria’s future is a Syrian matter and reaffirming support for the choices of the Syrian people and respect for their will.

The attendees also expressed their concerns regarding Israel’s incursions into the buffer zone with Syria and neighboring locations in Mount Hermon and Quneitra governorate, stressing the importance of respecting Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as stated in the report.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said that the meeting aims to coordinate efforts to support Syria and advocate for lifting sanctions, welcoming the recent US decision regarding sanctions-related exemptions for Syria.

He also urged international parties to lift unilateral and international sanctions on Syria and begin providing all aspects of humanitarian, economic, and state capacity-building support, creating a suitable environment for the return of Syrian refugees.

Bin Farhan emphasized that the continuation of sanctions imposed on the former Syrian regime would hinder the aspirations of the Syrian people in achieving development, reconstruction, and stability, expressing Saudi Arabia’s appreciation for the countries that announced their provision of humanitarian and developmental aid to the Syrian people.

He praised the positive steps taken by the new Syrian administration in preserving state institutions, adopting a dialogue approach with Syrian parties, its commitment to combating terrorism, and its announcement to initiate a political process that includes various segments of the populace, ensuring the stability of Syria and maintaining its territorial integrity, without being a source of threat to the security and stability of the region.

The Saudi minister reiterated Riyadh’s condemnation of Israel’s incursions into the buffer zone with Syria and neighboring sites in Mount Hermon and Quneitra, rejecting this incursion as an occupation and aggression that violates international law and the disengagement agreement between Syria and Israel in 1974, demanding the immediate withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the occupied Syrian territories.

After a meeting involving representatives from several Arab countries, including Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, another meeting was held with the foreign ministers and representatives from across Syria: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, the UAE, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Northern Ireland, the United States, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the UN special envoy to Syria, and the European Union’s foreign policy chief.

This meeting is considered the first international meeting regarding Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, 2024, and comes as a continuation of the Aqaba meeting less than a week after the downfall of al-Assad and his escape to Moscow.