UPDATE - Syria’s foreign minister visits Saudi Arabia in 1st trip abroad since Assad’s ouster

ADDS STATEMENTS FROM SAUDI MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AL-SHAIBANI ON X

By Laith Al-Jnaidi

DAMASCUS (AA) - Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh late Wednesday in his first overseas visit since the removal of Bashar Assad’s regime.

The trip was organized at the invitation of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported, citing an unnamed source from Syria’s Foreign Ministry.

The Syrian delegation includes Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and General Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab, underscoring the visit's diplomatic and strategic significance.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a brief statement on X announcing that Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji welcomed the Syrian delegation upon their arrival at King Khalid International Airport.

In a post on his X account, Al-Shaibani said: “I arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia alongside Minister of Defense Murhaf Abu Qasra and Director of General Intelligence Anas Khattab.”

“Through this first visit in the history of a free Syria, we hope to open a new and bright chapter in Syrian-Saudi relations that reflects the rich shared history between our two nations,” he added.

Earlier this week, Shaibani confirmed his planned visit to Saudi Arabia during a press conference in Damascus alongside Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya. He described the trip as a pivotal opportunity to establish stronger relations with the kingdom in various sectors.

Shaibani expressed gratitude for the invitation on X, saying: "I am honored to represent my country on this historic visit and look forward to building strategic ties with our brothers in Saudi Arabia."

His visit is the first by a Syrian official in the new transitional government formed after Assad's ouster, indicating a possible shift in regional dynamics and Syria's role in the Arab world.

Assad, Syria's leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party's regime, which had been in power since 1963.

The takeover came after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters captured key cities in a lightning offensive that lasted less than two weeks.

A new administration led by Ahmed al-Sharaa has now taken charge.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio