Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday, October 6, during an official visit to Saudi Arabia, accompanied by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.
The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, areas of cooperation, and opportunities to develop ties across various fields, as well as regional and international developments, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said the meeting also addressed several issues of mutual interest, with a view to supporting security and stability in the region.
According to SPA, Saudi officials attending the meeting included Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman; Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan; Minister of State, Cabinet Member, and National Security Adviser Musaed bin Mohammed al-Aiban; Secretary to the Crown Prince Bandar bin Obaid al-Rasheed; and Royal Court Adviser Khalid bin Farid Hadrawi.
The Syrian side was represented by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Mohsen Mahbash, chargé d’affaires of the Syrian embassy in Riyadh.
Official Visit to Riyadh
Al-Sharaa arrived in Riyadh earlier on Tuesday. The visit comes as Syrian-Saudi relations have gradually improved since the fall of the former regime on December 8, 2024, following years of political estrangement during which Saudi Arabia supported the Syrian opposition throughout the revolution and war.
Saudi Arabia was al-Sharaa’s first foreign destination after assuming the presidency. He visited Riyadh on February 2, 2025, and met Mohammed bin Salman. That visit covered political, economic, and humanitarian issues, alongside energy, technology, education, health, and reconstruction.
From Political Engagement to Economic Cooperation
The rapprochement between Damascus and Riyadh extended beyond political meetings to economic and investment cooperation during 2025.
In July 2025, Damascus hosted the Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum, where the two sides signed 47 agreements and memoranda of understanding across various sectors, including infrastructure, telecommunications, and services.
Saudi engagement formed part of broader efforts to support Syria’s reintegration into the region, alongside economic and investment initiatives. The announced agreements covered multiple sectors within Syria.
In February 2026, Syria and Saudi Arabia signed new economic agreements, including a telecommunications project worth approximately $1 billion, indicating a gradual shift from restoring political contact to economic partnerships and investment projects.
During his participation in the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh in October 2025, al-Sharaa said restoring relations with Saudi Arabia represented a “strategic step” toward reintegrating Damascus into its Arab and international surroundings. He described Syria as a “key pillar” of regional stability.
Repeated Meetings and Continued Engagement
Al-Sharaa and Mohammed bin Salman have met on several occasions, including meetings in Riyadh on the sidelines of regional and international events.
Riyadh also hosted a meeting between al-Sharaa and US President Donald Trump in May 2025, attended by the Saudi crown prince, as part of efforts concerning sanctions on Syria and the future of its international relations.
In October of the same year, al-Sharaa visited Saudi Arabia to participate in the Future Investment Initiative conference and met Mohammed bin Salman during the visit, as political and economic ties between Damascus and Riyadh continued to expand.
Tuesday’s meeting comes amid continued coordination between the two countries on regional developments. The Saudi statement focused on “prospects for bilateral relations,” “areas of cooperation,” and promising opportunities to develop cooperation across various fields, alongside developments in the region.
Neither side had announced new agreements or specific decisions resulting from the meeting between al-Sharaa and Mohammed bin Salman by the time this article was published. The official announcement was limited to the subjects discussed, including bilateral relations, cooperation, and regional and international developments.
The meeting marks the latest stage in the Syrian-Saudi rapprochement, which began with political engagement after the fall of the former regime and subsequently expanded to economic, investment, and diplomatic cooperation. Damascus is seeking to strengthen its Arab and international relations and support efforts to rebuild state institutions and the economy.