Gulf Countries Call for ‘Reconsidering’ Sanctions on Syria

Kuwait's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali al-Yahya (L), Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (C) and Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi (R) attend a press conference after their meeting in Damascus, Syria, 30 December 2024. (EPA)
Kuwait's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali al-Yahya (L), Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (C) and Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi (R) attend a press conference after their meeting in Damascus, Syria, 30 December 2024. (EPA)
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Gulf Countries Call for ‘Reconsidering’ Sanctions on Syria

Kuwait's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali al-Yahya (L), Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (C) and Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi (R) attend a press conference after their meeting in Damascus, Syria, 30 December 2024. (EPA)
Kuwait's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali al-Yahya (L), Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (C) and Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi (R) attend a press conference after their meeting in Damascus, Syria, 30 December 2024. (EPA)

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya called from Damascus on Monday for lifting international sanctions off Syria following the downfall of Bashar al-Assad.

He and Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi met with head of the new Syrian administration Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani.

The GCC countries stand in solidarity with Syria and are committed to its security and territorial integrity, he added, calling on the international community to "reconsider" sanctions in it.

He also said Kuwait's leadership also appealed for aid to be sent to Syria urgently.

"The visit expresses our keenness on opening a new page of regional cooperation...we also value the responsiveness of the new administration in Syria to these efforts," he said.

Shibani urged Kuwait to reopen its embassy in Damascus and resume relations with Syria.

"We call with all love and joy on brothers in Kuwait to open their embassy in Damascus and resume diplomatic relations very soon," he said during a joint press conference.

For his part, Albudaiwi condemned the Israeli violations against Syria and its settlement expansion in the occupied Golan Heights.

"The GGC countries are serious about supporting Syria and its people," he added.

"The Israeli attacks are a flagrant violation of international laws, and we call on Israel to withdraw from the occupied Syrian territories," he urged.

Moreover, he said the GCC supports "everything that bolsters Lebanon and Syria’s security and stability."



Saudi Arabia Says Now Is Time for Syria’s Stability and Revival

The Saudi and Syrian delegations are seen at the meeting in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
The Saudi and Syrian delegations are seen at the meeting in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Says Now Is Time for Syria’s Stability and Revival

The Saudi and Syrian delegations are seen at the meeting in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
The Saudi and Syrian delegations are seen at the meeting in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said on Thursday that “it is about time for Syria to become stable,” underlining the need for its revival and for it to benefit from its own capabilities, most significantly its “brotherly people.”

He received in Riyadh a delegation from the new Syrian administration that included Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra.

Talks focused on the developments in Syria and ways to support its political transition to meet the aspirations of the people and ensure the country’s security, stability and territorial integrity.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is seen at the meeting on Thursday. (SPA)

In a post on the X platform, Prince Khalid said he held a “productive” meeting with the Syrian delegation.

“Our brothers and sisters in Syria have suffered from wars, destruction and challenging living conditions,” he added.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah also held a separate meeting with Shibani.

Syrian Defense Minister Asaad al-Shibani during the meeting with Prince Khalid. (SPA)

Shibani had arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday on his first foreign visit since assuming his post.

His accompanying delegation also included chief of intelligence Anas Khattab.

In a post on X, Shibani hoped the visit would “open a new chapter in ties” between Syria and the Kingdom.