UPDATE - Syria's foreign minister arrives in Doha for 1st visit to Qatar

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS

By Ibrahim Khazen

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CAIRO (AA) – Syria’s new Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani arrived in the Qatari capital Doha on Sunday, marking his first visit to the Gulf country.

Shaibani was accompanied by Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and intelligence chief Anas Khattab during the visit, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported.

Sunday’s visit marked the first official visit to Qatar by officials of Syria’s new administration since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime last month to explore opportunities of cooperation between the two countries, SANA said.

Upon arrival, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held talks with Shaibani during which they discussed key strategic issues.

Following the talks, Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed Al-Khulaifi emphasized his country’s commitment to strengthening constructive and mutual cooperation with Syria.

He said the Syrian foreign minister presented a clear roadmap for Syria in the near future and outlined steps to be taken by the country’s political administration.

“We hope these steps will contribute to rebuilding Syria,” Khulaifi said.

The Qatari state minister said that Doha has established an air bridge to deliver humanitarian aid to Syria.

“Around seven planes carrying more than 200 tons of food, medical supplies, and equipment for evacuation and emergency operations have been dispatched,” he added.

Khulaifi stressed that Qatar was working “to prevent any foreign interference in Syrian affairs.”

Shaibani, for his part, called Qatar “a partner in the peace process we have now initiated in Syria."

The Syrian people “need numerous Arab and international partnerships to rebuild the new Syrian state on a civilized foundation that respects human dignity and provides adequate services,” he said.

“The roadmap we aspire for Syria includes rebuilding our country from the ground up and restoring our Arab and international relations,” the minister added.

Shaibani hailed Qatar’s support for Syria, saying that: "There will be partnerships that ensure security and stability in the region.”

He stressed that international economic sanctions imposed on Syria pose a barrier to rapid recovery and development for the country, renewing calls for the US to lift these sanctions following the fall of the Assad regime.

Following his first overseas visit to Saudi Arabia, Shaibani unveiled on Friday his intention to visit Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Jordan.

Qatar was one of the first countries to express support for Damascus after Assad’s ouster.

On Saturday, Khulaifi discussed with Shaibani ways to enhance cooperation between Doha and Damascus during a phone call, according to Qatari authorities.

Khulaifi visited Damascus on Dec. 23, where he met with the leader of Syria’s new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa, to discuss ways to strengthen relations and support Syria’s future.

Assad, Syria's leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending his family's decades-long rule.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi