Al-Sharaa discusses unified Syrian army, reconstruction conference in Riyadh

Mukhtar Shoaib in Riyadh , Sunday 2 Feb 2025

Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, where he discussed with Saudi officials the creation of a unified Syrian army and the possibility of holding an international conference to support reconstruction efforts in Syria.

Ahmed al-Sharaa
This handout picture provided by the media office of Syria's transitional government shows Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) during his meeting with Syrian interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Riyadh. AFP

 

Images from state television outlet Al-Ekhbariya showed that al-Sharaa, accompanied by his foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani, was greeted by Saudi officials as he disembarked in Riyadh.

Upon his arrival, al-Sharaa met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The discussions focused on Syria's internal situation, particularly creating a unified Syrian army and integrating Syrian armed factions into it.

They also discussed ways to support Syria's reintegration into its Arab and international spheres, efforts to lift international sanctions, and the country's reconstruction.

Additionally, they discussed Saudi Arabia's proposal to hold an international conference for reconstruction in Syria in Riyadh.

The talks also addressed the guarantees the new Syrian government would offer to the international community and the countries participating in the reconstruction process in Syria.

They also touched on bilateral relations and several issues of mutual interest.

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