Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad al-Shibani arrived in the Saudi capital on Wednesday for an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and discussing key regional developments with senior Saudi officials.

Shortly after landing in Riyadh, Shibani held extensive talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. According to the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, the meeting focused on practical mechanisms to deepen cooperation in ways that serve the interests of both countries, while also reviewing the latest regional dynamics and issues of shared concern.

Growing Diplomatic and Economic Engagement

The visit builds on a series of high-level exchanges between Damascus and Riyadh over the past year.

• April 2026: Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa travelled to Riyadh for talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, with discussions centred on regional stability and international cooperation.
• October 2025: President al-Sharaa returned to the Saudi capital to attend the ninth Future Investment Initiative. The trip included intensive political and economic engagements, among them a Syrian-Saudi roundtable that brought together ministers, officials and private-sector leaders to explore investment opportunities and potential partnerships.

Riyadh Welcomes U.S. Steps on Syria’s Terror Designation

Shibani’s visit comes as Saudi Arabia continues to voice strong support for Syria’s shifting international status.

On Tuesday, the Saudi Council of Ministers, meeting in Jeddah under the chairmanship of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reaffirmed its welcome of the United States’ decision to begin the process of removing Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the Cabinet underscored the Kingdom’s firm backing for the constructive steps taken by the Syrian government to restore security, strengthen stability and rebuild state institutions in line with the aspirations of the Syrian people.

The Cabinet’s position follows a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 9, which also welcomed Washington’s move. One day earlier, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa received a formal message from U.S. President Donald Trump confirming that Congress had been notified of the administration’s intent to rescind Syria’s terrorism designation. Under U.S. law, the notification triggers a mandatory forty-five-day congressional review period before the decision can take effect.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.