Syria’s Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan Al-Shibani, told Saudi officials during a visit to Riyadh that the new leadership in Damascus aims to establish a government that includes all segments of Syrian society.
This marks the first foreign trip by a member of Syria’s new administration since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in early December.
"Through our visit, we conveyed our national vision of establishing a government based on partnership and efficiency that includes all Syrian components, and working to launch an economic development plan that opens the way for investment, establishes strategic partnerships, and improves living and service conditions," Al-Shibani wrote on X Friday.
Al-Shibani and Syria's defense minister met with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to discuss the country’s future. The new government, led by Islamist rebels under Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has sought to reassure regional and international stakeholders of its intent to govern inclusively and avoid exporting Islamist revolution.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the foreign ministers of Germany and France visited Syria to meet with its de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, signaling the European Union's cautious engagement with the new rulers.
Germany's Annalena Baerbock and France's Jean-Noel Barrot, the first EU ministers to visit since Damascus fell to rebel forces, emphasized the importance of a peaceful transition and inclusivity. The meeting with Sharaa took place in the Damascus People's Palace, but no details of the discussions have been disclosed.
"Our message to Syria's new leadership: respecting the principles agreed with regional actors and ensuring the protection of all civilians and minorities is of the utmost importance," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wrote on X regarding the visit.
