Saudi Foreign Minister Calls for Lifting Sanctions on Syria

Last Updated on January 16, 2025 6:32 am

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Sunday called for the lifting of sanctions on Syria, saying maintaining them could hinder the country’s development.

Prince Faisal said unilateral and international sanctions against Syria should be lifted, as maintaining them would hinder the brotherly Syrian people’s aspirations for development.

The top diplomat made the remarks in a statement issued after a Riyadh meeting on Syria.

The Saudi capital has invited Arab, European and international diplomats to discuss the situation in Syria following the fall of al-Assad. Al-Assad was ousted in a military operation last month after 13 years of civil war.

Syria’s new administration has called for the lifting of Western sanctions to help international funds flow to Damascus.

Prince Faisal also noted that participants in the Riyadh meeting welcomed the “positive” steps taken by the new leadership, including preserving state institutions, starting dialogue between the various Syrian parties, and pledging to fight terrorism.