Arab-Western Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh to Discuss Syria

Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Asaad Al-Shibani in Riyadh (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Asaad Al-Shibani in Riyadh (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Arab-Western Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh to Discuss Syria

Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Asaad Al-Shibani in Riyadh (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives Asaad Al-Shibani in Riyadh (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Riyadh hosted on Sunday a meeting bringing together foreign ministers from Arab and Western countries, as well as representatives of international and UN organizations, to discuss the situation in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime last month.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Asaad Al-Shibani, the foreign minister of Syria’s new administration, will attend the meeting, alongside UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen and Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Ahead of the broader discussions with European counterparts and representatives of participating organizations, Arab foreign ministers will hold a separate meeting to address the Syrian crisis, the same sources revealed.

The US State Department announced in a statement that Under Secretary of State John Bass will attend the multilateral meeting hosted by Saudi Arabia, to coordinate international support for the Syrian people.

The statement added that Bass will hold bilateral meetings during his visit to Riyadh from January 11-13 to discuss key regional and global priorities with Saudi and other international partners.

The Syrian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ayman Sousan, highlighted Saudi Arabia’s significant regional and global influence, emphasizing its “immense potential to assist Syria in overcoming the current challenges.”

Sousan, in a previous interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, praised the ongoing efforts led by the Kingdom under the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the supervision of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He noted that Saudi Arabia have consistently extended assistance to Syrians since the start of the crisis in 2011, even when the previous regime obstructed aid delivery to manipulate its distribution.

The Kingdom has been delivering humanitarian aid to Syria in recent days via land and air bridges. These shipments include food, shelter, and medical supplies, aiming to alleviate the dire conditions faced by the Syrian people.

The aid efforts “have no set ceiling,” according to Saudi officials, and will remain in place until their goals of stabilizing the humanitarian situation are achieved, in line with directives from the Saudi leadership.

The Riyadh meeting follows a gathering held in Aqaba, Jordan, in mid-December, when the Ministerial Contact Committee on Syria reaffirmed its commitment to standing by the Syrian people and providing support during this critical period.

The committee, established by the Arab League, includes representatives from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, the League’s Secretary-General, and the foreign ministers of the UAE, Bahrain (the current chair of the Arab Summit), and Qatar.

The committee stressed the importance of a comprehensive and peaceful political transition in Syria, involving all political and social forces, including women, youth, and civil society. They emphasized that this process must be fair, inclusive, and guided by UN and Arab League principles, specifically UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

The Aqaba meeting also featured the participation of foreign ministers from Türkiye, France, and the United States.



What the Crown Prince’s Pledge of Allegiance Anniversary Means to Saudis

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (Bandar al-Galoud)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (Bandar al-Galoud)
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What the Crown Prince’s Pledge of Allegiance Anniversary Means to Saudis

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (Bandar al-Galoud)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. (Bandar al-Galoud)

As Saudi Arabia marks the eighth anniversary of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz’s appointment, history pauses for a moment, reflecting on an unprecedented chapter in the Kingdom’s evolution.

On June 21, 2017, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz issued a royal decree naming Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Crown Prince.

That blessed night, the Saudi people pledged their allegiance to him. It was a pivotal moment in Saudi history, highlighting a remarkable leader who embraced his country’s ambitions, steeped in its rich heritage, global stature, and cultural influence.

Through this pledge of allegiance, Saudis underscore the uniqueness of their political system, its Islamic authenticity, and its constitutional legitimacy, deeply rooted in the collective acceptance and satisfaction of both rulers and citizens.

This bond solidifies the foundation of the Saudi social contract, while also evoking the nation’s achievements and its determined steps toward a bright future.

The appointment of Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Crown Prince marked the beginning of a new era, where innovation met ambition, and bold planning was paired with relentless action.

This decision was more than a political shift; it was a response to the urgent need for leadership driven by a distinct vision, one rooted in determination and the belief that the future is made, not awaited.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman has demonstrated exceptional competence and distinguished leadership, making him the ideal choice for Crown Prince, the most important position after the King.

The role symbolizes stability, solidifies the King’s foundation, and ensures the continuity of the succession. He also heads the government and the Political and Security Affairs Council, which oversees national security strategies, as well as domestic and foreign policies.

In addition, he leads the Economic and Development Affairs Council, which is responsible for economic, financial, investment, and developmental issues, including education, healthcare, and public services.

As such, he oversees the formulation and execution of policies and strategies across all state sectors.

Moreover, he is the architect of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the driving force behind its goals, and the guardian ensuring the successful implementation of its programs and projects.

All the executive tasks and responsibilities entrusted by King Salman to his Crown Prince culminated in his appointment as head of the government by royal decree in September 2022.

This marked the first time in 60 years that the King was not the head of the government. While the legal and historical aspects of this royal decree are extensive, the key takeaway is the full trust and absolute delegation from the King to the Crown Prince to manage these responsibilities and oversee a vast range of issues.

The scope of achievements reflects this significant delegation.

The Crown Prince has translated the King’s vision into a living reality, transforming Saudi Arabia into something distinctly different today, while still remaining a continuation of past phases.

This is evident in the unwavering commitment to the principles and foundations on which the state was built, drawing strength from its historical legacy and cultural depth.