Egypt’s FM heads to Riyadh for high-level talks on Syria’s political process

CAIRO – 11 January 2025: Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty is traveling to Riyadh to participate in meetings focused on developments in Syria. Reports indicate that the discussions will involve Arab and other foreign ministers.

The meetings aim to support a Syrian-owned comprehensive political process that aligns with the aspirations of the Syrian people, according to a statement from the ministry.

This process is also intended to safeguard Syria's stability, unity, security, and sovereignty over its entire territory.

Senior officials from various Arab nations, as well as representatives from European and other countries, including the United States, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Turkey, are expected to attend.

Assad Al-Shibani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Syrian transitional government, has already arrived in Riyadh for the talks.

Discussions are anticipated to focus on supporting the new administration and the potential lifting of sanctions.

Syria is currently grappling with instability following the fall of Bashar Al-Assad's government on December 8, during an offensive led by opposition fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, under the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is now Syria's de facto ruler.

This significant change marks the end of over five decades of Assad family rule.

Egypt has emphasized the need for an inclusive political transition in Syria to maintain the state's stability and unity.

Diplomatic communications with the provisional government in Syria began late last month, with Abdelatty making a phone call to Al-Shibani.

Additionally, on January 4, Egypt sent its first humanitarian aid shipment since the fall of Assad, comprising 15 tons of relief supplies, medicine, and food.