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Saudi Arabia and Qatar to jointly fund Syrian public sector as ties deepen
Reuters
Reuters
Saudi Arabia and Qatar will provide joint financial support for Syrian state employees, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan announced during a visit to Damascus, as regional efforts to support Syria’s reconstruction gain momentum.
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud said on Saturday that Riyadh and Doha will jointly extend financial assistance to support state employees in Syria, marking a significant shift in regional engagement with Damascus.
"The kingdom will provide with Qatar joint financial support to state employees in Syria," Bin Farhan stated at a press conference in Damascus alongside his Syrian counterpart, Asaad al-Shibani. While specific figures were not disclosed, the move mirrors earlier Qatari efforts to underwrite Syria’s public sector wages.
The announcement comes just weeks after the United States unexpectedly lifted economic sanctions on Syria’s Islamist-led government, which came to power following the ouster of former president Bashar al-Assad in December. U.S. President Donald Trump, during his recent Middle East visit, credited the decision to a request by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose country has been a strong advocate for re-engaging with Damascus.
The European Union also recently lifted its economic sanctions on Syria, further opening the door for regional powers to assist the war-torn nation’s recovery.
Prince Faisal emphasized Saudi Arabia’s instrumental role in lobbying for the easing of international restrictions on Syria and reaffirmed Riyadh’s long-term commitment to supporting the country’s reconstruction and economic revival.
He also revealed that he was accompanied by a high-level Saudi economic delegation in Damascus for talks aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation. "Several visits will follow in the coming days by Saudi businessmen to Syria to discuss investments in energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and other sectors," he said.
The financial support initiative and accompanying visits mark a new chapter in Saudi-Syrian relations and reflect a broader regional shift toward reintegrating Syria into the Arab and international community after years of isolation.
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