Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Than arrived in Syria on Jan. 30, becoming the first head of state to visit Syria under its new regime. After arriving at Damascus airport, the Emir was taken directly to the presidential palace for a meeting with transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Discussion between the two heads of state will focus on cooperation and aid in several sectors, spokesman reported.
The emir’s visit follows that of Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani two weeks ago, when he pledged to support the rehabilitation of Syria’s infrastructure, including providing Syria with 200 MW of power, and to lend assistance in paying Syria’s public sector salaries.
Also this month, ministers from Syria’s transitional government, including top diplomat Asaad al-Shaibani, met the Qatari prime minister on their first visit to the Gulf country since taking power.
The Emir’s visit to Damascus that of a high-level Russian delegation earlier this week, as a Turkish military delegation.
In a statement reported by the Syrian Arabic News Agency (SANA), interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said: “The main goal of Syria’s foreign policy is assisting in shaping the regional and international environment, based on cooperation, mutual respect and strategic partnership.” He added that “under the conditions of current challenges, Syria is adhering to a purposeful and multidimensional foreign policy course,” TASS reported.