Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara has arrived in Riyadh for his second visit to Saudi Arabia in a matter of weeks, The National reports, citing Syrian state media. He is accompanied by the foreign, defence, finance and industry ministers and the head of the intelligence service, and is due to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss bilateral issues and sign several agreements.
Al Shara last visited Riyadh on 6 October. The trip follows comments by Syria's foreign minister, Asaad Al Shibani, that Damascus regards Gulf security as part of its own and is negotiating over joining the Makkah defence pact signed in August by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey. Saudi Arabia has become a major investor in Syria since Al Shara took power in late 2024, and has recently faced drone and missile attacks from Yemen's Houthis.
Source: The National