Syria's President al-Sharaa meets Saudi Crown Prince MBS in Riyadh

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa made his first official foreign trip to Saudi Arabia, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The visit signifies Syria's attempt to reintegrate into Arab relations following years of isolation and to garner support for the reconstruction of its war-torn economy. Al-Sharaa, who became president after leading the opposition to topple Bashar al-Assad, emphasized the importance of Saudi Arabia's role in Syria's future, especially regarding potential investments. The discussions also included efforts to lift economic sanctions imposed on Syria, with Saudi Arabia engaging with Western nations on this front. However, concerns regarding al-Sharaa's past affiliations with al-Qaeda have raised questions about the new leadership's legitimacy. The visit marks a strategic shift in Syria's alliances, moving away from previous reliance on Iran and Russia.