Latest news with #AhmedAlSharaa
The National
3 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister arrives in Syria to discuss boosting economic ties
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Syria on Saturday, leading a high-level delegation that aims to strengthen ties as the war-torn nation prepares for an economic opening on the expected lifting of years-long sanctions. Prince Faisal is due to meet Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa, and is expected to hold economic talks between the two sides as an economic delegation is accompanying the Saudi official, the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement. The talks will focus on ways the two sides can work together "to support Syria's economy, strengthen the development of government institutions, and achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people", the ministry said. In February, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Mr Al Sharaa in Riyadh during the latter's first trip in the region as president. Mr Al Sharaa said the meeting with Prince Mohammed has shown that Saudi Arabia had 'a genuine desire to support Syria in building its future'. The Syrian president added that his meetings in Riyadh had included plans for co-operation in the fields of energy, technology, education and health. The Syrian economy has been devastated by the civil war, which began in 2011. The UN's Development Programme estimates cumulative losses – including physical damage and economic deprivation – of $923 billion at the end of last year. The estimated cost of reconstruction has varied from $250 billion and $500 billion. The national economy, which had been maintaining a brisk pace of growth before the protests against the regime of deposed president Bashar Al Assad, has struggled since: gross domestic product plunged 6.4 per cent in 2016 before gradually recovering, government data shows. But the situation has been improving: in March, Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara announced new members in his government, appointing 23 ministers in a broadened cabinet, a move seen as an important milestone in the transition from decades of Al Assad family rule and the improvement of ties with the West. It further accelerated after US President Donald Trump, during his Gulf tour this week, announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria, drawing cheers from its citizens and optimism from analysts. He also met Mr Al Shara in Riyadh. On May 16, the World Bank cleared Syria of its $15.5 million outstanding debt after Saudi Arabia and Qatar paid for it, in another positive sign for the nation's damaged economy. The clearing of the arrears, made effective on May 12, reinstates Syria's eligibility to receive World Bank support and operations after a 14-year hiatus, the Washington-based institution said. Saudi Arabia and Qatar announced their plans to settle Syria's outstanding debts on April 27, in "support of and to accelerate the recovery" of Syria, following discussions at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund 's spring meetings in Washington. Support from Syria's Gulf neighbours will be key to its recovery: financial deposits from Gulf allies will support Syria's monetary stability and rebuild confidence in its commercial banking system as the country grapples with near-depleted foreign exchange reserves, analysts have said. Also in May, Damascus and DP World, the Dubai-based global ports operator, signed an initial agreement worth $800 million to develop Syria's port of Tartus, aimed at strengthening port infrastructure and logistics services in the country.
Al Arabiya
4 hours ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Saudi foreign minister arrives in Syria for economic talks
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Damascus on Saturday with an economic delegation on a visit to discuss ways to support Syria's war-ravaged economy, authorities said. On a visit to Riyadh earlier this month, US President Donald Trump said he would lift US sanctions on Syria, a move that paves the way for economic recovery in the war-torn country. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani welcomed Prince Faisal, who is 'heading a high-level delegation,' on arrival at Damascus airport, a Syria foreign ministry statement said. The pair were scheduled to hold a press conference this afternoon. A Saudi foreign ministry statement said Prince Faisal would meet with President Ahmed al-Sharaa and 'the high-level economic delegation' would hold talks with Syrian officials about ways of cooperating 'that contribute to supporting Syria's economy and strengthen institution building.' In February, al-Sharaa visited Saudi Arabia in his first trip abroad as president. Last month, Saudi Arabia and Qatar announced they would settle Syria's debt to the World Bank totaling roughly $15 million. Damascus is hoping that the lifting of sanctions, particularly by the United States, will pave the way for support from the international community. Years of war and sanctions have battered the country's economy, infrastructure and industry. A recent United Nations Development Program report estimated Syria's 'lost GDP' during the 2011-2024 war to be around $800 billion. Prince Faisal first visited Syria's new authorities in January. with AFP
CNN
5 hours ago
- General
- CNN
ISIS claims first attacks against forces loyal to new government in Syria
ISIS has claimed two attacks on Syrian security forces – the first since the transitional government under former jihadist Ahmed al-Sharaa took office. The terror group, also known as Islamic State, said it had killed and injured seven members of 'the apostate Syrian regime' with an explosive device that was detonated on a road in southern Syria. It said the attack took place in the remote desert area of Talul al Safa in the southern Syrian province of Suwayda. A military source in the Suwayda region told CNN that a reconnaissance unit from the Free Syrian Army was ambushed Wednesday while tracking ISIS movements in the area. One fighter had been killed and three injured. Units of the Free Syrian Army are supported by the US military in what is called the al Tanf Deconfliction Zone close to the borders with Jordan and Egypt, where the US has a small outpost. The source added that the Talul al Safa area is 'extremely rugged and dangerous area, as ISIS had been exploiting its terrain for a long time.' ISIS lost almost all the territory it controlled in Syria by the end of 2017 but has maintained a foothold in Syria's vast central desert. ISIS claimed another attack in the same area several days ago. CNN has reached out to the government in Damascus for comment. Last week, the Syrian Interior Ministry said security forces operating in an area not far from where the attacks took place had seized 'a number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as well as weapons' at locations belonging to a terrorist cell affiliated with ISIS. The Washington DC-based Institute for the Study of War says the group has likely maintained cells in southern Syria despite not carrying out any attacks there for at least two years. The US and other Western governments have urged the new Syrian government to prevent a resurgence of ISIS and other terror groups on Syrian soil. But the government has struggled to extend its authority to Suwayda, where there have been clashes between Druze and Sunni groups.
CNN
5 hours ago
- General
- CNN
ISIS claims first attacks against forces loyal to new government in Syria
ISIS has claimed two attacks on Syrian security forces – the first since the transitional government under former jihadist Ahmed al-Sharaa took office. The terror group, also known as Islamic State, said it had killed and injured seven members of 'the apostate Syrian regime' with an explosive device that was detonated on a road in southern Syria. It said the attack took place in the remote desert area of Talul al Safa in the southern Syrian province of Suwayda. A military source in the Suwayda region told CNN that a reconnaissance unit from the Free Syrian Army was ambushed Wednesday while tracking ISIS movements in the area. One fighter had been killed and three injured. Units of the Free Syrian Army are supported by the US military in what is called the al Tanf Deconfliction Zone close to the borders with Jordan and Egypt, where the US has a small outpost. The source added that the Talul al Safa area is 'extremely rugged and dangerous area, as ISIS had been exploiting its terrain for a long time.' ISIS lost almost all the territory it controlled in Syria by the end of 2017 but has maintained a foothold in Syria's vast central desert. ISIS claimed another attack in the same area several days ago. CNN has reached out to the government in Damascus for comment. Last week, the Syrian Interior Ministry said security forces operating in an area not far from where the attacks took place had seized 'a number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as well as weapons' at locations belonging to a terrorist cell affiliated with ISIS. The Washington DC-based Institute for the Study of War says the group has likely maintained cells in southern Syria despite not carrying out any attacks there for at least two years. The US and other Western governments have urged the new Syrian government to prevent a resurgence of ISIS and other terror groups on Syrian soil. But the government has struggled to extend its authority to Suwayda, where there have been clashes between Druze and Sunni groups.
Washington Post
11 hours ago
- General
- Washington Post
Syrian leader faces challenge of foreign militants who helped him win power
DAMASCUS, Syria — When Syrian insurgents rode victorious into Damascus late last year, their rebel leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, was relying, in part, on thousands of foreign fighters to help overthrow Bashar al-Assad's dictatorship. Six months on, Sharaa is president, and the continued presence of those same Islamist militants, who came from as far afield as Europe and Central Asia to join the revolution, could now pose a profound challenge to his political survival.
