Latest news with #AssadFamily
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi FM from Damascus: We Want Syria to Reclaim its Natural Positions
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah paid a visit to Damascus on Saturday, in a step aimed at elevating ties between the Kingdom and Syria. The two sides declared that they are seeking to boost economic cooperation to for their mutual benefit and create jobs for Syrians after Western sanctions imposed on the war-torn country were eased earlier this month. Prince Faisal met Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and other Syrian officials. The easing of Western sanctions is likely to open the way for foreign investors into the country, where a civil war has been ongoing since March 2011. In early December, 54 years of Assad family rule came to an end, when groups opposed to then-president Bashar al-Assad captured his seat of power in Damascus. Prince Faisal said that the easing of sanctions by the US, the European Union and Britain in May will help in 'reactivating the Syrian economy that had been at a standstill for decades.' Prince Faisal, who headed an economic and business delegation, said Saudi businessmen will visit Syria in the near future to discuss opportunities in sectors including oil, infrastructure, information technology, telecommunications and agriculture. He added that Saudi Arabia and Qatar will give financial assistance to employees of Syria's public sector. 'We assert that the Kingdom will be a leading state among countries that will stand by Syria in its march for reconstruction and economic revival,' Prince Faisal said. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said his country and Saudi Arabia have entered a new era of cooperation. This handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) shows Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad Shaibani (3rd-L) accompanying Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah (2nd-L) during the latter's visit to the Umayyad Mosque in the old city of Damascus on May 31, 2025. (Omar Al-Qatta / SANA / AFP) Economic revival During his meeting with Sharaa, Prince Faisal conveyed the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. They reviewed bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria and means to support security and stability in the region. They also tackled means to strengthen the Syrian economy and institutions to meet the aspirations of the people. 'I discussed with Sharaa opportunities for bilateral cooperation in various fields, reflecting the fraternal and historic bonds between our countries and peoples,' said the FM during the press conference with Shaibani. 'I expressed during this visit the Kingdom's hope to bolster the partnership with brothers in Syria to help consolidate stability and boost opportunities to revive the economy so that Syria can restore its natural positions,' he added. Prince Faisal underscored the Kingdom's keenness on Syria's unity and stability and that it reclaim its effective role in the region. Saudi Arabia will remain at the forefront of countries that stand by Syria as its forges ahead in reconstruction and reviving its economy, he added. Investors in Saudi Arabia are eager to seize the opportunities at hand, he stressed. For his part, Shaibani said the strength of the partnership between the Kingdom and Syria lies in their shared interests, mutual respect and common vision for a stable region. He expressed his gratitude to the Saudi leadership and diplomatic institutions, saying the support they offered Syria 'since the moment of its liberation was evident and left a great mark' on his country. 'This support was tangible and came a time when the Syrian people were in most need of it,' he declared. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani attend a press conference in Damascus, Syria May 31, 2025. (Reuters) 'We are especially grateful for the role Saudi Arabia played in lifting sanctions. The sanctions didn't weaken governments, but Syrian families and people. They didn't target the systems, but our survival and recovery. We are aware that the lifting of sanctions is only the beginning. Real work begins now,' he stressed. 'Syria's reconstruction will not be imposed by foreign powers, but it will be made by and for the Syrian people and Saudi Arabia will play a pivotal role during this phase,' Shaibani remarked. Saudi Arabia and Qatar Later on Saturday, Saudi Arabia and Qatar announced joint financial support for Syrian public sector employees, delivered over a three-month period. The move is part of their ongoing commitment to advancing Syria's economic recovery and following their earlier contribution of approximately $15 million to settle Syria's arrears with the World Bank Group. The support is part of Saudi Arabia and Qatar's commitment to fostering stability in Syria, alleviating humanitarian suffering, and advancing the interests of the Syrian people. It reflects the deep-rooted bonds and longstanding historical ties that unite the people of the three countries. Saudi Arabia and Qatar stressed that this support reflects their commitment to advancing development efforts, strengthening economic and social stability in Syria, and contributing to the improvement of living conditions for the Syrian people.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Syria and Saudi Arabia agree to boost economic cooperation after Western sanctions eased
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria and Saudi Arabia said Saturday they aim to boost economic cooperation to for their mutual benefit and create jobs for Syrians after Western sanctions imposed on the war-torn country were eased earlier this month. The announcement was made during a visit to Damascus by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who met Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and other Syrian officials. The easing of Western sanctions is likely to open the way for foreign investors into the country, where a civil war has been ongoing since March 2011. In early December, 54 years of Assad family rule came to an end, when gunmen opposed to then-president Bashar Assad captured his seat of power in Damascus. The Saudi foreign minister said that the easing of sanctions by the U.S., the European Union and Britain earlier this month will help in 'reactivating the Syrian economy that had been at a standstill for decades.' Prince Faisal, who is heading an economic and business delegation, said Saudi businessmen will visit Syria in the near future to discuss opportunities in sectors including oil, infrastructure, information technology, telecommunications and agriculture. He added that Saudi Arabia and Qatar will give financial assistance to employees of Syria's public sector without giving details. 'We assert that the kingdom will be a leading state among countries that will stand by Syria in its march for reconstruction and economic revival,' Prince Faisal said. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said his country and Saudi Arabia have entered a new era of cooperation. The meeting came two days after Syria signed an agreement with a consortium of Qatari, Turkish and U.S. companies for development of a 5,000-megawatt energy project to revitalize much of its war-battered electricity grid. Al-Sharaa met President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia earlier this month.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Syria and Saudi Arabia agree to boost economic cooperation after Western sanctions eased
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria and Saudi Arabia said Saturday they aim to boost economic cooperation to for their mutual benefit and create jobs for Syrians after Western sanctions imposed on the war-torn country were eased earlier this month. The announcement was made during a visit to Damascus by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who met Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and other Syrian officials. The easing of Western sanctions is likely to open the way for foreign investors into the country, where a civil war has been ongoing since March 2011. In early December, 54 years of Assad family rule came to an end, when gunmen opposed to then-president Bashar Assad captured his seat of power in Damascus. The Saudi foreign minister said that the easing of sanctions by the U.S., the European Union and Britain earlier this month will help in 'reactivating the Syrian economy that had been at a standstill for decades.' Prince Faisal, who is heading an economic and business delegation, said Saudi businessmen will visit Syria in the near future to discuss opportunities in sectors including oil, infrastructure, information technology, telecommunications and agriculture. He added that Saudi Arabia and Qatar will give financial assistance to employees of Syria's public sector without giving details. 'We assert that the kingdom will be a leading state among countries that will stand by Syria in its march for reconstruction and economic revival,' Prince Faisal said. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said his country and Saudi Arabia have entered a new era of cooperation. The meeting came two days after Syria signed an agreement with a consortium of Qatari, Turkish and U.S. companies for development of a 5,000-megawatt energy project to revitalize much of its war-battered electricity grid. Al-Sharaa met President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia earlier this month.
Asharq Al-Awsat
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Syrians Chase Equestrian Glory in Sport Once Dominated by Assads
For weeks, Ziad Abu al-Dahab has been training for gold at an equestrian tournament near Damascus -- in a sport once dominated by Syria's Assad family and their inner circle. "Results used to be decided in advance, always favoring those close to the government," the 25-year-old rider said. "My greatest ambition was to reach third place, but today, I can aim for first and do well with my new horse." For decades, former president Bashar al-Assad, his relatives and allies enjoyed wide-ranging privileges before his overthrow in a lightning offensive in December. Equestrian sports surged in the 1990s under Assad's late brother Bassel, who was being groomed to succeed their father Hafez before dying in a car crash in 1994. Bashar took over and became president in 2000. Bassel used to take part in tournaments at home and abroad and styled himself as Syria's "first rider". His profile helped shine a spotlight on the sport, which came to symbolize elite status under the Assads. Abu al-Dahab said those close to the family had European horses, which far outperformed the local ones of other competitors. "It was impossible to compete with the ruling family," he said while walking his horse on the sand. Impossible competition Outside the Dimas equestrian club near Damascus, a statue of Bassel still stands, his face now hidden by the new Syrian flag. The family's grip on the sport passed to the next generation, including Sham, daughter of Bashar's brother Maher. Sham used to compete in Syria and at international tournaments, often placing high. The attention she received in the media stirred controversy, with critics seeing it as propaganda. That grip on the sport kept some away. Munana Shaker, 26, said her father banned her from competing until the Assads were gone. "My father forbade me from practicing due to fear (of the ruling family), and he always told me that competition with them was impossible," she said as she stroked her white mare, Mariana. "He didn't want us associating with the Assad family at all. He told me the story of the equestrian who was jailed after beating Bassel al-Assad, and did not want to put me in danger." She was referring to Adnan Qassar, a prominent rider who outperformed Bassel before being imprisoned without trial in 1993, accused of plotting to kill him. Many believe his sporting success was the real reason for his arrest. Qassar was freed 21 years later under a presidential pardon. "I have long stayed away from this sport, but it is now time to come back strong. I am from the Shaker family, not the Assad family," she said. 'Dream come true' Shadi Abu al-Dahab, 48, oversees about 240 horses -- including some of the Assads' former European ones. "Around 40 horses were set aside for the Assad family. No one else was allowed to get near them," he said. But today, he's seeing new faces and growing interest in the sport. "We have new skills that we discover daily, and enthusiastic children... We now have a large number of riders aspiring to compete and get titles," he said. Fellow trainer Salah al-Ahmad, 52, was beaming as his son took the mare Topsy for a spin -- once ridden by Sham al-Assad. "He used to dream of touching her or patting her head," Ahmad said. "Now in this new era, the mare is with him, and he has won two tournaments. "It's a dream come true."
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Syrians chase equestrian glory in sport once dominated by Assads
A rider competes at the Al-Nasr Equestrian Show Jumping Championship in Dimas, northwest of Damascus (LOUAI BESHARA) For weeks, Ziad Abu al-Dahab has been training for gold at an equestrian tournament near Damascus -- in a sport once dominated by Syria's Assad family and their inner circle. "Results used to be decided in advance, always favouring those close to the government," the 25-year-old rider said. Advertisement "My greatest ambition was to reach third place, but today, I can aim for first and do well with my new horse." For decades, former president Bashar al-Assad, his relatives and allies enjoyed wide-ranging privileges before his overthrow in a lightning Islamist-led offensive in December. Equestrian sports surged in the 1990s under Assad's late brother Bassel, who was being groomed to succeed their father Hafez before dying in a car crash in 1994. Bashar took over and became president in 2000. Bassel used to take part in tournaments at home and abroad and styled himself as Syria's "first rider". Advertisement His profile helped shine a spotlight on the sport, which came to symbolise elite status under the Assads. Abu al-Dahab said those close to the family had European horses, which far outperformed the local ones of other competitors. "It was impossible to compete with the ruling family," he said while walking his horse on the sand. - Impossible competition - Outside the Dimas equestrian club near Damascus, a statue of Bassel still stands, his face now hidden by the new Syrian flag. The family's grip on the sport passed to the next generation, including Sham, daughter of Bashar's brother Maher. Advertisement Sham used to compete in Syria and at international tournaments, often placing high. The attention she received in the media stirred controversy, with critics seeing it as propaganda. That grip on the sport kept some away. Munana Shaker, 26, said her father banned her from competing until the Assads were gone. "My father forbade me from practising due to fear (of the ruling family), and he always told me that competition with them was impossible," she said as she stroked her white mare, Mariana. "He didn't want us associating with the Assad family at all. He told me the story of the equestrian who was jailed after beating Bassel al-Assad, and did not want to put me in danger." Advertisement She was referring to Adnan Qassar, a prominent rider who outperformed Bassel before being imprisoned without trial in 1993, accused of plotting to kill him. Many believe his sporting success was the real reason for his arrest. Qassar was freed 21 years later under a presidential pardon. "I have long stayed away from this sport, but it is now time to come back strong. I am from the Shaker family, not the Assad family," she said. - 'Dream come true' - Shadi Abu al-Dahab, 48, oversees about 240 horses -- including some of the Assads' former European ones. "Around 40 horses were set aside for the Assad family. No one else was allowed to get near them," he said. Advertisement But today, he's seeing new faces and growing interest in the sport. "We have new skills that we discover daily, and enthusiastic children... We now have a large number of riders aspiring to compete and get titles," he said. Fellow trainer Salah al-Ahmad, 52, was beaming as his son took the mare Topsy for a spin -- once ridden by Sham al-Assad. "He used to dream of touching her or patting her head," Ahmad said. "Now in this new era, the mare is with him, and he has won two tournaments. "It's a dream come true." mam/lk/nad/dv
