Latest news with #AsaadAlShaibani
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Saudi Arabia eyes Syria with new investment as Gaza remains in rubble
Gaza is in ruins while Syria's ruins are now going to receive substantial funds for reconstruction. Syria is getting a head start on the future. Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud, visited the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. This was a symbolic moment. It illustrates the deep connection of Syria to its Islamic past and also the new present that is being formed. Saudi Arabia is the land of the Islamic holy sites and it has historically been a leader in the Islamic world. However, other Arab states contain important cities from the Islamic past. These include Baghdad in Iraq, Damascus in Syria and Cairo in Egypt. Syria has recently changed from being an ally of Iran and Hezbollah to being back in the Sunni Arab fold in the region. As such it is now close with Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. However, these countries may be working together to help Syria, but they also all want influence. As such the visit of the Saudi envoy was important. It also came a day before he was supposed to travel to the West Bank with other foreign ministers and envoys of Arab states. Israel reportedly prevented that visit. Saudi Arabia is focused on Syria. It was the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman who got US President Donald Trump to meet the new Syrian president, Ahmed al-Shara'a in Damascus. This was key to lifting US sanctions. The new US envoy, Tom Barrack, was in Damascus recently to raise the American flag at the US ambassador's residence. This was symbolic. A new era is emerging. A new dawn. Syria's foreign minister said that Syria and Saudi Arabia are entering a strong phase of investment and economic cooperation. 'Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Saturday that the Kingdom will offer with Qatar joint financial support to state employees in Syria,' reports said at Arab News. 'His statements came during a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani in Damascus, who welcomed the foreign minister and his delegation on his arrival in the Syrian capital,' the report added. 'The Kingdom will provide, with Qatar, joint financial support to state employees in Syria,' Prince Faisal said. The countries will now hold talks to 'bolster aspects of cooperation in various fields.' SPA in Saudi Arabia added that the countries 'also expressed a strong desire to work in coordination with the international community and development partners to ensure sustainable, effective support through a comprehensive and unified vision.' There is a major contrast now between the Arab states moving to invest in Syria, and the continued fighting in Gaza. Gaza is in ruins, while Syria's ruins are now going to receive substantial funds for reconstruction. Syria is getting a head start on the future. Meanwhile, Israel may be more isolated in the region as countries flock to do business in Damascus.
Al Arabiya
3 days 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
Asharq Al-Awsat
6 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia, US Discuss Economic, Humanitarian Support for Syria
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received in Riyadh on Wednesday US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack. They discussed measures to support the Syrian people on the humanitarian and economic levels, as well as the aid that has been provided during this critical period. Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Barrack in Istanbul on Sunday with reports saying they were in agreement over a number of issues. Barrack hailed the talks that were attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and focused on means to lift sanctions off the country.
Arab News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Arab Media Summit to feature top regional leaders on day 2
DUBAI: The second day of the Arab Media Summit on Tuesday will feature top regional leaders including Prime Minister of Lebanon Nawaf Salam, Al-Azhar's leader Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and the Syrian Arab Republic's Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani. Dedicated to empowering the next generation of media professionals and influencers, the Arab Media Summit is set to host 8,000 media professionals from across the region. Running until May 28 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the summit began on Monday with sessions of the Youth Media Forum and the Ibda'a – Arab Youth Media Awards ceremony. Mona Ghanem Al-Marri, vice chairperson and managing director of the Dubai Media Council, said: 'Today's world demands a new dialogue. 'The rapid integration of artificial intelligence and immersive technologies requires the development of new strategies that are ambitious, youth-driven, and future-focused. 'Our aim is to raise Arab media's role in growth and development not just regionally, but also globally.'
Al Arabiya
24-05-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
US ambassador says lifting Syria sanctions will preserve US objective of defeating ISIS
US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Istanbul on Saturday, according to an official statement seen by Al Arabiya English. The US ambassador said lifting sanctions on Syria will preserve the American objective of defeating ISIS. 'I stressed the cessation of sanctions against Syria will preserve the integrity of our primary objective – the enduring defeat of ISIS – and will give the people of Syria a chance for a better future,' he said in the statement released after the meeting. 'I also commended President al-Sharaa on taking meaningful steps towards enacting President Trump's points on foreign terrorist fighters, counter-ISIS measures, relations with Israel, and camps and detention centers in [Northeast] Syria,' it added. Barrack said Syria and US affirmed their commitment to investment in the private sector in order to rebuild the Syrian economy: 'The Syrian side and I affirmed our commitment to continuing these important conversations and to working together to develop private sector investment in Syria to rebuild the economy, including through investment by regional and global partners such as [Turkey], the Gulf, Europe, and the United States.' He said the issue of sanctions on Syria was resolved, and that it was now time to beacon a 'new, welcoming Syria without sanctions.'
