Latest news with #FaisalbinFarhan
Leaders
an hour ago
- Business
- Leaders
Official Visit: Saudi FM Arrives in Damascus
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived today, May 31, in Damascus on an official visit to Syria, along with a high-level economic delegation, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Promising Visit The Kingdom's delegation consists of Royal Court Advisor Mohammed bin Mazyad Al-Tuwaijri, Vice Minister of Finance Abdulmuhsen bin Saad Alkhalaf and Assistant Minister of Investment Dr. Abdullah Aldubaikhi. Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic and Development Affairs Abdullah bin Zarah and other several officials from various sectors are also part of the delegation. Saudi FM and Syrian FM During the visit, Prince Faisal is set to hold talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Meanwhile, the Saudi delegation will hold a consultation session with their Syrian counterparts to explore new horizons for joint action. These talks and discussions seek basically to support Syrian economy and achieve the aspirations of Syrian people. Saudi-Syrian Relations Saudi Crown Prince and Syrian President In February, Syrian President visited Saudi Arabia and expressed his intentions to build strong ties with Arab and Western governments. Such relations have unfolded a new chapter for Syria's diplomatic relations after the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024. New Era Saudi Crown Prine Mohammed bin Salman, US President Turmp and Syria's interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa during Trump's Gulf tour. Since the fall of Al-Assad, the new Syrian government has been attempting to build strong relations with Western countries in order to alleviate the harsh sanctions of US and its allies imposed during Asaad's rule. Importantly, the US and the UK have recently lifted sanctions on Syria, allowing the new government to build its economy and welfare. Currently, the new government seeks to restore relations with Western and Arab countries as well as establish new diplomatic relations to boost its stability and security. Related Topics: Cyprus Grants Financial Support to Syrian Families to Resettle Erdogan Holds Talks with Syria's Sharaa in Istanbul Syria on Brink of Full-Scale Civil War, Warns Rubio Short link : Post Views: 127
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Saudi top diplomat says kingdom ‘at vanguard' of efforts to rebuild Syria
Syria's interim president, Mr Ahmed al-Sharaa (right) welcoming Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, to Damascus on May 31. PHOTO: AFP Saudi top diplomat says kingdom 'at vanguard' of efforts to rebuild Syria DAMASCUS - Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan travelled to Damascus on May 31, where he said his country would be at the forefront of efforts to rebuild Syria after nearly 14 years of civil war. Prince Faisal had landed in the Syrian capital earlier, alongside an economic delegation on a visit to discuss ways to support Syria's war-ravaged economy, authorities said. Saudi Arabia has been one of the most important regional supporters of Syria's new authorities, who took over after ousting longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December. 'We affirm that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will remain at the vanguard of countries standing by Syria in its path towards reconstruction and economic recovery,' Prince Faisal said, in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart. Saudi Arabia 'will present joint financial support alongside Qatar to public sector workers' in Syria, he added, while pointing to interest in Syria from Saudi investors. He said Saudi economic delegations would visit Damascus soon, noting that 'work is under way to discuss investment support and economic and trade cooperation' between the two countries. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, meanwhile, expressed his country's thanks 'for the role Saudi Arabia has played, particularly on the lifting of sanctions' by the United States. The two countries 'have entered a strong stage of joint investment and economic cooperation', he said. Mr Shaibani pointed to 'strategic initiatives aiming to restore infrastructure, replenish agriculture... and create real job opportunities for Syrians'. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (left) and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani delivering a press conference in Damascus on May 31. PHOTO: REUTERS Prince Faisal met Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and visited Damascus' famous Umayyad Mosque alongside Mr Shaibani. On a visit to Riyadh earlier this month, US President Donald Trump said he would lift US sanctions on Syria, a move that should help pave the way for economic recovery in the war-torn country. In February, Mr Sharaa visited Saudi Arabia on his first trip abroad as president. In April, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, another key backer of the new authorities, announced they would settle Syria's debt to the World Bank totalling roughly US$15 million (S$19 million). Damascus is hoping that the lifting of sanctions, particularly by the US, will enable support from the international community. Years of war and sanctions have battered the country's economy, infrastructure and industry. A recent United Nations Development Programme report estimated Syria's 'lost GDP' during the 2011-2024 war to be around US$800 billion. Prince Faisal first visited Syria's new authorities in January. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Middle East Eye
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Israel blocks Arab ministers from occupied West Bank visit
A delegation of Arab foreign ministers has condemned Israel's decision to block their planned visit to the occupied West Bank. The delegation - including ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain - was scheduled to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Sunday. However, the visit was postponed after Israeli authorities warned late Friday that they would deny the ministers entry, according to the Jordanian foreign ministry. As the occupying power controlling the West Bank's border with Jordan, Israel's approval was required for the delegation to travel. In a joint statement, the ministers denounced the move as a 'violation of Israel's obligations as an occupying power' and said it reflected 'the arrogance of the Israeli government, its disregard for international law, and its ongoing illegitimate policies". New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The Palestinian ambassador to Saudi Arabia told local media the visit was meant to underscore the importance of the Palestinian cause to Arabs and Muslims. An Israeli official, speaking to the Ynet news outlet, described the planned meeting as a 'provocative' attempt to promote the establishment of a Palestinian state. 'Such a state would undoubtedly become a terrorist state in the heart of the land of Israel,' the official claimed. 'Israel will not cooperate with efforts that threaten its security.' Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, who was set to lead the delegation, would have been the highest-ranking Saudi official to visit the occupied West Bank in nearly 60 years. The incident comes as Israel faces mounting international pressure to support a two-state solution, backed by the United Nations and several European governments. In June, Saudi Arabia and France are set to co-chair an international conference in New York to discuss the future of Palestinian statehood.
Saudi Gazette
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Arab ministers condemn Israeli ‘ban' on planned West Bank visit: Jordan
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The foreign ministers of five Arab countries who had planned to visit the occupied West Bank this weekend condemned on Saturday Israel's decision to block their plans. The ministers condemned 'Israel's decision to ban the delegation's visit to Ramallah on Sunday to meet with Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas,' the Jordanian foreign ministry said. Ministers from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had been expected to take part alongside Turkey. Earlier, the Arab delegation, headed by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, planned to visit Ramallah as part of the mission of the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee seeking to halt the war in the Gaza Strip, secure the entry of aid, and find a political horizon to end the Israeli occupation. The visit was planned following the last meeting of the committee in Madrid during which it discussed developments in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. They stressed the importance of implementing the two-state solution based on relevant international resolutions, ensuring the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Meanwhile, Dr. Riyad Mansour, Palestinian representative to the United Nations, said that Saudi Arabia will take important steps regarding the recognition of the Palestinian state, while simultaneously anticipating, through the diplomatic street program, the recognition of the Palestinian state by 10 Western countries. At the same time, the Arab Ministerial Committee's actions are consistent with the beginning of preparations to mobilize recognition of Palestine through the conference on Palestine, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France in June. The conference is scheduled to be held in New York. The majority of UN member states, as well as observer states from other countries and regional blocs, have expressed their full support for the efforts made by the Kingdom and France to hold the conference. They affirmed their support for the two-state solution as the only internationally agreed-upon option. They also emphasized the importance of achieving practical results, including recognition of the State of Palestine, rejection of all attempts at annexation and forced displacement, and the need to support the Palestinian government and UNRWA.
Saudi Gazette
6 hours ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi foreign minister arrives in Damascus for official visit, economic talks with Syrian leadership
Saudi Gazette report DAMASCUS — Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday arrived in the Syrian capital Damascus on an official visit, accompanied by a high-level economic delegation. During the visit, Prince Faisal is scheduled to meet with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, as part of Saudi Arabia's ongoing diplomatic efforts to support Syria's reconstruction and regional reintegration. The accompanying economic delegation will also hold consultation sessions with their Syrian counterparts to explore avenues for joint cooperation that would strengthen Syria's economy, support government institution-building, and address the aspirations of the Syrian people. The high-level Saudi delegation includes Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri, adviser at the Royal Court; Deputy Minister of Finance Abdulmohsen Al-Khalaf; Assistant Minister of Investment Dr. Abdullah Al-Dubaikhi; and Abdullah bin Zaraa, Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic and Development Affairs. Senior officials from various sectors are also part of the delegation.
