Saudi Arabia working to lift sanctions on Syria, Prince Faisal says

Saudi Arabia is taking part in talks with western powers to help remove sanctions against Syria, the kingdom's Foreign Minister said on Friday as he made his first visit to Damascus since the fall of former president Bashar Al Assad.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan's comments followed talks with the new Syrian leader, Ahmad Al Shara.

Prince Faisal and Mr Al Shara discussed "all means aimed at supporting the security, stability and unity of Syria", the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.

Sweeping sanctions were imposed on Syria in the wake of Mr Al Assad's crackdown on pro-democracy protests that began in 2011.

Removing them would provide relief for the Syrian economy, which is reeling from the devastation of the civil war that followed Mr Al Assad's crackdown.

"The Syrian people are calling for the lifting of sanctions that have hindered their development and economic growth," Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani said in a joint press conference with Prince Faisal.

The Saudi visit to Damascus comes as the Syrian transitional government seeks investments to help rebuild the country after 14 years of civil war.

Prince Faisal had previously called for lifting sanctions on Damascus after talks on Syria with top diplomats from the Middle East and Europe earlier this month.

Mr Al Shara said last month that Riyadh “will certainly have a large role in Syria's future”, pointing to “a big investment opportunity for all neighbouring countries”.ah

Prince Faisal arrived in Damascus after meetings with Lebanon's leaders in Beirut on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister last visited Syria in April 2023, when he met Mr Al Assad on a landmark visit that ended more than a decade of strained relations between the two countries.

Saudi Arabia and other countries severed ties with Syria in 2012 over Mr Al Assad's violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests that sparked civil war.

The Assad family's five decades of rule over Syria ended last month as rebel factions led by Mr Al Shara's group, Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, seized Damascus in a lightning offensive.

The rebel victory came after Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah, Mr Al Assad's main backers, were significantly weakened by Israeli attacks.

Riyadh significantly reduced its footprint in Lebanon amid the growing strength of Hezbollah.