The Syrian President, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, arrived Sunday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in his first foreign trip since he assumed power as Syria’s president, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
At King Khalid International Airport, the Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, and other Saudi officials received Al-Sharaa and his accompanying delegation.
First Official Visit
Al-Sharaa is visiting Riyadh with his Foreign Minister, Asaad Al-Shaibani, according to the Syrian state news agency SANA. Earlier on Sunday, the Syrian presidency’s account on X posted a photo showing Al-Sharaa and Al-Shaibani aboard a plane on their way to Saudi Arabia, calling it a “first official visit.”
President al-#Sharaa in the 1st official visit to #KSAhttps://t.co/wu17EyxVDC pic.twitter.com/NtUfsr7v0f
— SANAEnglishOfficial (@SANAEnOfficial) February 2, 2025
Syria’s Transitional President
On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, the new Syrian administration appointed Al-Sharaa as Syria’s president to lead the transitional period in the country, after the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in December 8, 2024.
The new administration also announced several measures, including the suspension of the 2012 constitution and the dissolution of the People’s Assembly, army and security agencies. Moreover, Al-Sharaa has been tasked with forming an interim legislative council, until a permanent constitution is approved.
Exchanging Visits
In January 2025, the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, visited Damascus, in the first official visit since the fall of Assad’s regime. The Saudi Foreign Minister met with Al-Sharaa and other senior officials. Prince Faisal stressed Saudi Arabia’s unwavering support for Syria’s security and stability, highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts to lift all sanctions imposed on Syria.
Earlier in January, a Syrian high-ranking delegation representing the new administration visited Riyadh, upon an invitation from the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan. The delegation included the Foreign Minister, Asaad bin Hassan Al-Shaibani; the Defense Minister, Major General Marhaf Abu Qasra; and Chief of the General Intelligence Service, Anas Khattab.
The Syrian delegation met with senior Saudi officials, including the Saudi Defense Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman. During the meeting, they discussed the developments in Syria and explored ways to support the transitional political process to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people for stability, security and unity.
Unwavering Support for Syria
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly expressed its support for Syria’s stability, security and unity. During his visit to Damascus, the Saudi Foreign Minister emphasized the need for lifting all sanctions imposed on Syria, noting that the Kingdom is engaged in “active dialogue with all relevant countries, whether the US or the EU,” to advance sanctions relief.
In another sign of support, Riyadh gathered top Arab and Western officials in high-level meetings in January to discuss the future of Syria and ways to support the Syrian people.
The Kingdom has also showed unwavering support for Syrian people, stepping up its humanitarian aid by launching air and land bridges to the country since the start of 2025.
