Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and his Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani on the plane – Syrian News Agency.
The presidency posted a picture on X of Sharaa and his foreign minister aboard what appeared to be a private jet with the caption "President Sharaa and Asaad al-Shaibani travel to Saudi Arabia, first official visit".
According to the Syrian news agency "SANA," Al-Sharaa will meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and senior Saudi officials to discuss the latest developments on the Syrian scene, the plans set to establish security and stability in Syria, the prospects of relations between Damascus and Arab capitals, and the efforts being made to lift sanctions on Syria".
Al-Sharaa was named interim president on Wednesday for an unspecified transitional period.
Syria's new authorities said Al-Sharaa had been tasked with forming a transitional legislature.
They announced the dissolution of all armed groups involved in Assad's overthrow, as well as the former government's army.
Saudi Arabia's King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were among the first to congratulate Al-Sharaa on his official appointment.
"We are pleased to express our congratulations on the occasion of your assumption of the presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic in the transitional phase," King Salman said in a cable, according to the foreign ministry.
Bin Salman sent a separate cable also offering his congratulations, the statement said.
In late January, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister visited Damascus, promising help to secure the lifting of international sanctions imposed during Assad's rule.
On Thursday, Damascus received Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who "stressed the urgent need to form a government representing all spectrums" of Syrian society in order "to consolidate stability and move forward with reconstruction, development and prosperity projects".
According to Damascus, the two sides discussed reconstruction.
The new Syrian authorities have received a steady stream of diplomatic visitors since toppling Assad in December.
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