°®Âþµº

Top Arab diplomats met with Syria's new leadership in an attempt to discuss rebuilding the war-torn country and future cooperation, with a Qatari diplomatic delegation, headed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, being the latest to arrive in Damascus on Monday.

The Qatari delegation's arrival marks the first Qatar Airways flight to land in the country's capital since the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime two weeks ago, according to Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid Al-Ansari. 

In a on the social media platform X, Majid Al-Ansari announced that the delegation, led by Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, seeks to reaffirm Qatar’s support for Syrian sovereignty, as well as advocating for a smooth and peaceful political transition of power and aiding in the reconstruction of the war-torn nation. 

This comes as Qatar officially became the second country to reopen its embassy in the Syrian capital post-Assad, after Turkey, following its 13-year closure and halting diplomatic ties with the country under the former regime. 

"His Excellency [Mohammed Al-Khulaifi] ...is heading a high-level official Qatari delegation to hold a series of meetings with Syrian officials and to embody Qatar’s firm position in providing all support to our brothers in Syria," al-Ansari wrote in a post. 

The Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson highlighted that Mohammed Al-Khulaifi is the highest-ranking official from Qatar to visit Syria since the fall of the Assad family’s 54-year rule. 

Qatar’s expected talks with Syria’s transitional government follows other high-profile visits by senior officials from around the region and Western countries, who have called for security and stability after years of civil war in the country. 

Jordanian delegation

On Monday, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also met with Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, as seen in images distributed by the Jordanian foreign ministry. 

Safadi and Sharaa were pictured shaking hands, with Jordan's official Al-Mamlaka TV later reporting they discussed avenues of cooperation including trade, aid and security.

An earlier statement from the foreign ministry revealed that Safadi would meet with Syria’s new leader, along with several other Syrian officials.  

This marks the first visit by a senior Jordanian official since the fall of Assad. 

Al-Sharaa also met with a Saudi delegation in Damascus, according to Arabic-language media reports on Sunday. 

Al-Sharaa recently acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s ambitious development plans, in reference to its Vision 2030 project, and expressed optimism about future collaboration between Damascus and Riyadh. 

This comes after he held meetings with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and top US diplomat for the Middle East, Barbara Leaf.

Leaf expressed her expectation that Syria would fully eliminate any role for Iran in its affairs.  

Iran has 'no direct contact' with Syria's new leaders

On Monday, Iran, which has played a key role in supporting Assad, reaffirmed its support for Syria's sovereignty but stated that the country should not become "a haven for terrorism."  

"Our principled position on Syria is very clear: preserving the sovereignty and integrity of Syria and for the people of Syria to decide on its future without destructive foreign interference," Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in a weekly press briefing. 

He added that such an outcome would have "repercussions" for countries in the region. 

During Monday's press briefing, Baqaei also stated that Iran had "no direct contact" with Syria's new rulers. 

Meanwhile, al-Sharaa, a staunch critic of Iran, has voiced opposition to the Islamic Republic's influence in Syria under Assad.  

In an interview with the Arabic-language Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, he stated that Syria had previously become "a platform for Iran to control key Arab capitals, spread wars, and destabilise the Gulf with drugs like Captagon." 

Assad fled Syria earlier this month as rebel forces entered Damascus, following a swift offensive. 

The HTS takeover, which is considered a terrorist organisation by several governments, including the United States, has raised concerns. 

However, the group has attempted in recent years to moderate its image. 

On Sunday, Al-Sharaa stated that his administration was focused on protecting minorities, highlighting the importance of coexistence in Syria's multi-ethnic, multi-confessional society.  

He also announced that all weapons would be brought under state control following upcoming consultations with defence and military officials on a new military structure.  

Armed factions, he added, would begin announcing their dissolution and integrating into the national army.