Saudi Arabia and Qatar have announced financial support for Syria’s state employees, according to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud. The aid will be delivered over three months, echoing a previous $15 million commitment to the World Bank. The announcement follows recent sanctions lifted by the U.S. and aims to foster collaboration and investment in Syria’s reconstruction efforts amid its ongoing recovery from conflict.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar have officially announced plans to support state employees in Syria, a move articulated by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud during a recent press conference in Damascus alongside Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani. Although specific amounts were not disclosed, this initiative aligns with Qatar’s ongoing efforts to bolster the Syrian public sector’s financial situation.
According to a joint statement released by the two nations on Saturday, the financial aid package will be provided over a period of three months. This comes shortly after Saudi Arabia and Qatar contributed to help settle Syria’s approximately $15 million overdue payments to the World Bank back in April.
The timing of the Saudi minister’s visit is noteworthy, occurring shortly after President Donald Trump announced the lifting of sanctions on the Syrian government, which had previously overthrown former President Bashar al-Assad. This decision was made during Trump’s recent Middle East trip, at the urging of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has advocated for reducing punitive measures against Syria.
In this context, the European Union has also recently lifted economic sanctions against the war-torn country. Bin Farhan emphasized Saudi Arabia’s commitment to assist Syria in its ongoing reconstruction and economic recovery, stating his country would remain a key supporter. He also mentioned he was accompanied by a significant economic delegation aimed at strengthening cooperation across various sectors with Syrian counterparts.
He revealed that in the coming weeks, Saudi businessmen will visit Syria to explore investment opportunities particularly in energy, agriculture, and infrastructure. This initiative reflects Syria’s intention to rebuild and enhance ties with regional partners amidst the changing political landscape following the recent turmoil.
Moreover, Syrian leadership is actively seeking to forge stronger relationships with both Arab and Western nations as they attempt to rejuvenate their sparring economy post-conflict. In a related development, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a prominent Syrian leader, is set to arrive in Kuwait on Sunday, where he will engage in discussions on economic and political cooperation, marking his first official visit since the regime change.
These developments signal a significant shift in approach towards Syria, with Gulf states looking to play an increasingly supportive role as the country navigates the path to recovery from years of devastating civil war.
In summary, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are taking significant steps to support state employees in Syria through a financial aid package, described as a three-month initiative. This comes as part of broader regional support, especially following the lifting of US sanctions on Syria. Bin Farhan’s visit underscores Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to assist Syria’s economic recovery, with plans for increased investments and further cooperation on the horizon. The evolving dynamics indicate a potential for reconstruction and improved Arab-Western relationships with the Syrian government moving forward.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
