Saudi Arabia, Qatar to clear Syria's $15mln World Bank debt
WANSHINGTON: Saudi Arabia and Qatar have agreed to jointly pay approximately $15 million to settle Syria's arrears to the World Bank.
A joint Saudi-Qatari statement said: ''In continuation of the ongoing efforts by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar to support and accelerate the recovery of the Syrian Arab Republic's economy, and in light of recent discussions held during the High-level Roundtable on Syria on the margin of the 2025 WBG/IMF Spring Meetings, the ministries of finance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar jointly announce their commitment to settle Syria's outstanding arrears to the World Bank Group, totaling around $15 million.''
This commitment will pave the way for the World Bank Group to resume support and operations in Syria after a suspension of more than 14 years. It will also unlock Syria's access to financial support in the near term for the development of critical sectors, as well as technical assistance that will contribute to institutional rebuilding, capacity development, and policy formulation and reform to drive development.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar call upon international and regional financial institutions to promptly resume and expand their development engagement in Syria and to expand efforts, in line with their mandates, to improve the lives of the Syrian people and realise their aspirations for a future marked by opportunity and well-being, contributing to the broader stability and prosperity of the region.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East Eye
10 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Mohammed bin Salman condemns Israel's war on Gaza in Eid message
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has used his Eid al-Adha address to denounce Israel's war on Gaza and renew calls for a peaceful resolution for the Palestinian people. 'Eid al-Adha comes this year while the suffering of our brothers in Palestine continues as a result of the Israeli aggression,' he said during his remarks. He urged the international community to act, saying it must 'end the disastrous repercussions of this aggression, protect civilians and innocents, and create a new reality in which Palestine enjoys peace.'
Middle East Eye
a day ago
- Middle East Eye
Syria closes controversial Rukban refugee camp near Jordanian border
Syrian authorities have shut down a controversial refugee camp near the Jordanian border that has long faced criticism over dire conditions for its residents. A spokesperson for the Syrian Emergency Task Force, which coordinated activity related to Rukban camp, said all those previously hosted there had returned home and the camp is now 'closed and empty'. Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa said on X on Saturday that the closure of the camp, established in the early years of the Syrian civil war in 2011, marked the end of "a tragic and sorrowful chapter of displacement stories created by the bygone regime's war machine". At its height, the camp hosted as many as 100,000 inhabitants. But over time, many left due to the poor conditions, returning either to government-held areas or other parts of Syria with the help of smugglers. Numbers also dwindled after Jordan closed its border and stopped regular aid deliveries in 2016. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters With little to no aid coming in, residents lacked access to food staples, basic medical supplies and health infrastructure. They were forced to live in makeshift dwellings without access to running water or basic sanitation, while the school system was all but nonexistent. "Rukban was not just a camp, it was the triangle of death that bore witness to the cruelty of siege and starvation, where the regime left people to face their painful fate in the barren desert," added Mustafa. Armed groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham overthrew the government of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Since then, many Syrians living in exile or in camps have begun returning to their original homes, no longer fearing reprisals from Assad's government. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says around 1.87 million Syrians have returned to their places of origin since December. However, the IOM says the "lack of economic opportunities and essential services" still poses a challenge for returnees.
Sharjah 24
a day ago
- Sharjah 24
UAQ Ruler receives Ambassador of Qatar
The meeting was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Deputy Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain. Eid greetings The Qatari Ambassador offered Eid greetings to His Highness Sheikh Saud, who in turn exchanged congratulations and blessings with him. The ambassador prayed to God Almighty to bless the Ruler with continued health and wellness, and to bring peace, prosperity and blessings to the UAE and the Arab and Islamic nations. The reception was attended by a number of sheikhs, local department heads and officials.
