Several files were discussed during the meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the transitional Syrian president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, along with his accompanying delegation today, Sunday, February 2, in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

The Syrian Presidency page reported that al-Sharaa held an extensive meeting where he felt and heard a genuine desire to support Syria in building its future, showing a commitment to supporting the will of the Syrian people and the unity and integrity of its territory.

The two sides discussed broad discussions and conversations in all fields, with the Syrian side working to raise the level of communication and cooperation at all levels, especially humanitarian and economic.

The two parties discussed comprehensive future plans in the fields of energy, technology, education, and health, aiming for a “true partnership” with Saudi Arabia that seeks to preserve peace and stability in the entire region while improving the economic situation for the Syrian people.

Commenting on the visit, Syrian Interior Minister Ali Keda described it as very important, stating that al-Sharaa would discuss the economic situation and cooperation, the reconstruction file, and common political and security issues of interest between the two countries.

He noted that the new Syrian administration is keen to benefit from Saudi Vision 2030 and aspires for Syria to be a focal point for Saudi investors, pointing to coordination between the new administration, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan to combat drug trafficking.

Al-Sharaa and his accompanying delegation arrived today from Damascus to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on a Saudi plane, marking his first foreign visit since being appointed president of the transitional government.

The Deputy Emir of Riyadh Region, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, during his reception of the transitional Syrian president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in the Saudi capital – February 2, 2025 (WAS)

Three days prior, the General Command in Syria announced that Ahmed al-Sharaa had assumed the presidency of Syria for a transitional phase, disbanding the People’s Assembly, the army, and the revolutionary factions, as well as suspending the constitution.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent congratulatory letters to al-Sharaa on the occasion of his assumption of leadership during the transitional phase.

On January 1st of the previous year, the new Syrian government made its first official foreign visit to Saudi Arabia, which included Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, and Intelligence Director Anas Khattab, conducting several diplomatic meetings with Saudi officials.

In an interview on December 29, 2024, al-Sharaa stated that “liberating Syria ensures the security of the region and the Gulf for the next 50 years,” emphasizing that Saudi Arabia has a significant role in Syria’s future and praising the kingdom’s economic initiatives.

In an earlier discussion with Enab Baladi, analysts considered the choice of Saudi Arabia as the gateway for Damascus’s foreign relations to indicate a significant interest from the new Syrian administration in the regional and Arab role of the kingdom. This opens the door wide for the re-establishment of a new and distinguished Syrian role and restrains certain regional roles attempting to disrupt the Syrian reality or longing for a previous role under Assad’s oppression.

The selection of Riyadh as the first destination for the new Syrian administration’s officials after Assad’s fall indicates Saudi Arabia’s importance and its political and economic role in Syria and enhances the momentum and support for it, possessing essential influence on both regional and international political and economic levels, according to analysts.

After Assad’s overthrow, Damascus witnessed a wave of Western and Arab diplomacy, with the visit of Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, being the first visit by an Arab leader to Syria a day after al-Sharaa’s appointment as president.