Saudi foreign minister pledges aid to help rebuild Syria in Damascus

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Faisal bin Farhan, said Saturday in Damascus that Riyadh would be at the forefront of efforts to help rebuild Syria and revive its economy, pledging financial support alongside Qatar for the country’s public sector.

Saudi Arabia is one of the main regional backers of Syria’s new administration, formed by Islamist rebel groups that ousted President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump surprised many during a visit to Riyadh by announcing the lifting of economic sanctions against Syria.

“We affirm that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will remain at the forefront of countries standing with Syria in reconstruction and economic recovery,” bin Farhan said during a joint press conference.

Highlighting strong Saudi investor interest in Syria, he added that Riyadh, together with Qatar, would provide financial assistance to public sector employees.

Bin Farhan, who led a major Saudi economic delegation, also announced upcoming Saudi economic missions to Damascus and ongoing talks to explore “ways to support investment and economic and trade cooperation.”

During his visit, bin Farhan met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and toured Damascus’ Umayyad Mosque alongside Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Chaibani, where he prayed.

Al-Chaibani expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its role “in lifting U.S. sanctions” and announced that the two countries “have entered a strong phase of economic and investment cooperation,” citing “strategic initiatives to rebuild infrastructure, revive agriculture, reactivate the economy, and create real job opportunities for Syrians.”

Saudi Arabia was the first foreign country visited by al-Sharaa after he took office in December.

Recently, Riyadh, along with Doha — another key ally of the new Syrian authorities — settled Syria’s $15 million debt to the World Bank.

Following the lifting of Western, particularly American, sanctions, Damascus is relying on support from its allies and the international community to launch the economic recovery and reconstruction process after 14 years of devastating conflict that has claimed more than half a million lives.

À Damas, le chef de la diplomatie saoudienne promet d'aider à reconstruire la Syrie