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Syria's Foreign Minister says heading to UAE, Qatar, Jordan
The top diplomat in Syria's new leadership said Friday he will make official visits to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan this week, having just been to Saudi Arabia on his first trip in office.
Syrian Interim Authorities are eager for investment from wealthy Gulf states to help rebuild the country's infrastructure and boost its economy, which has been shattered by over a decade of war.
"This week, I will represent my country, Syria, on an official visit to our brothers in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan," its foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani said in a statement on X.
"We look forward to these visits contributing to support stability, security, economic recovery, and building distinguished partnerships," he added.
Earlier this week, Shaibani headed a high-ranking delegation to Riyadh, including the new government's defence minister and intelligence chief.
It was the first foreign visit by Syria's new rulers since they ousted President Bashar al-Assad last month.
Last month, a Saudi delegation Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Damascus, a source close to the Saudi government told AFP at the time.
Sharaa heads the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, which led the rebel offensive that ousted Assad on 8 December.
Last week, in an interview with Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television, Sharaa said Saudi Arabia "will certainly have a large role in Syria's future", pointing to "a big investment opportunity for all neighbouring countries".