Faisal bin Farhan in Damascus, Stresses Saudi Support to Syria’s Revival

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA on January 24, 2025, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) welcoming Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Damascus. (SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA on January 24, 2025, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) welcoming Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Damascus. (SANA / AFP)
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Faisal bin Farhan in Damascus, Stresses Saudi Support to Syria’s Revival

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA on January 24, 2025, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) welcoming Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Damascus. (SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA on January 24, 2025, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) welcoming Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Damascus. (SANA / AFP)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah reiterated on Friday the Kingdom’s support for Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

Prince Faisal had arrived in Damascus on Friday where he held talks with its de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Speaking at a press conference with Sharaa, he stressed Saudi Arabia’s support for the Syrian people.

He expressed his delight at visiting Damascus, stating that Saudi Arabia will back Syria’s security, stability and revival.

Prince Faisal and Sharaa discussed means to support Syria’s security and territorial integrity.  

They tackled efforts to back it on the political, economic and humanitarian levels, underscoring the need to lift sanctions on the country.

“We will continue to work with our brothers in Syria until we reach a final lifting of the sanctions imposed on their country,” Prince Faisal said.

He added that Saudi Arabia has been facilitating dialogue with the US and the EU to push for sanctions relief.

The FM and Sharaa stressed the need to offer Syria all forms of support during its period of transition in order for it to reclaim stability throughout its territories.

Prince Faisal hailed the new Syrian authorities on their openness to holding dialogue with all parties, saying he was confident the people will successfully maneuver this phase and achieve a prosperous and stable future.

He also met with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shibani, who said Saudi Arabia has offered Syria a lot of support and has constantly stood by its people.

Prince Faisal’s visit “demonstrates this support,” he stated.

Moreover, he said consultations with Saudi Arabia are ongoing on “all levels. There are no reservations or obstacles. Our cooperation will be an important step towards building a better future for the region.”

Syria needs the support of its Arab brothers and is opening a new chapter of cooperation with them as it aspires to be a part of the joint Arab project, he stressed.

He echoed calls for sanctions relief, saying they were a hurdle to stability.

Syria is determined to open a new chapter that focuses on reconstruction, development and investment, he went on to say.



Six Arab Nations Issue Statement Condemning Attacks by Iran-aligned Iraqi Factions

Smoke rises from the area of Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot (AP)
Smoke rises from the area of Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot (AP)
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Six Arab Nations Issue Statement Condemning Attacks by Iran-aligned Iraqi Factions

Smoke rises from the area of Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot (AP)
Smoke rises from the area of Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot (AP)

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan issued a joint statement on Wednesday condemning the attacks carried out by Iran-affiliated armed groups in Iraq against countries in the region and their facilities and infrastructure.

They said these assaults constitute a violation of international laws and conventions, and a flagrant breach of UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which clearly demands that Iran immediately and unconditionally cease any attacks or threats against neighboring states, including those carried out through proxy groups.

In the statement, the six countries strongly condemned what they dubbed Iranian aggression, whether carried out directly or through proxy armed groups, saying it violates their sovereignty and breaches international law, international humanitarian law, and the Charter of the United Nations.

They urged Iraq to immediately stop attacks from armed groups within its territory to maintain relations and prevent escalation.

The statement affirmed the six countries’ inherent right to self-defense and to take necessary measures to protect their sovereignty and security under the UN Charter.

The statement also condemned the destabilizing activities carried out by Iran-aligned sleeper cells and terrorist groups linked to Hezbollah. It praised the armed forces and security agencies for confronting these threats, protecting national security, and successfully uncovering and dismantling hostile networks.


Saudi Crown Prince, Pakistani PM Discuss Implications of Regional Escalation

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meet in Riyadh last year. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meet in Riyadh last year. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, Pakistani PM Discuss Implications of Regional Escalation

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meet in Riyadh last year. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meet in Riyadh last year. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held telephone talks on Wednesday on regional developments and the implications of the ongoing military escalation on regional and global security and stability.

Shehbaz Sharif stresses his country’s full support to Saudi Arabia, saying it will always firmly stand by its side amid the Iranian attacks against its security and sovereignty.

In a post on X, he said Pakistan will continue to stand in solidarity with the Kingdom, saying it enjoys its absolute support.

He underscored his country’s firm commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security and sovereignty, especially amid the current regional escalation.

He also condemned any attacks that target the Kingdom, hailing its restraint and urging de-escalation and an end to the hostilities.

He said he agreed with Crown Prince Mohammed to continue close coordination.


Fire at Kuwait Airport After Drones Hit Fuel Tank

Vehicles drive along the highway leading to and from Kuwait City on March 2, 2026. (AFP)
Vehicles drive along the highway leading to and from Kuwait City on March 2, 2026. (AFP)
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Fire at Kuwait Airport After Drones Hit Fuel Tank

Vehicles drive along the highway leading to and from Kuwait City on March 2, 2026. (AFP)
Vehicles drive along the highway leading to and from Kuwait City on March 2, 2026. (AFP)

Drones hit a fuel tank and sparked a fire at Kuwait International Airport, the Gulf state's civil aviation authority said on Wednesday, as Iran presses on with its attacks in the nearly four-week regional war.

Citing preliminary information, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said in a statement posted online that the attack had caused only "limited" damage and no casualties.

Firefighters were working to bring the blaze under control, said agency spokesman Abdullah Al-Rajhi.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB that they had launched missiles and drones at military bases hosting US forces in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain as well as targets in Israel.

The Kuwait National Guard said in a statement that its forces intercepted six drones early Wednesday, and the army said air defenses were "responding to hostile missile and drone attacks".

In Bahrain, the interior ministry said air raid sirens were activated, while Jordan's public security directorate reported shrapnel fell near the capital Amman, resulting in no casualties or damage.

In Israel, the military said air defenses responded to Iranian missiles that triggered warning sirens across much of the country's central region.

The Kuwait airport is largely closed to commercial flights and has come under attack several times since the regional war began on February 28, when Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran.

On March 14, the civil aviation authority said an attack with "several drones" targeted the airport and "struck its radar system". No casualties were reported.

Major airlines have suspended flights to the Gulf, or cut back due to fuel shortages linked to the war.