Saudi Arabia and Qatar will provide joint financial assistance to support state employees in Syria, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud announced during a press conference in Damascus on Saturday.
Speaking alongside his Syrian counterpart, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, Prince Faisal said the financial support aims to help stabilize Syria’s public sector workforce. However, he did not disclose the size or structure of the aid package.
“The Kingdom will provide, with Qatar, joint financial support to state employees in Syria,” Prince Faisal said during the joint statement. The initiative mirrors a previous commitment by Doha to help bankroll Syria’s struggling public sector as part of broader efforts to rebuild the war-torn country.
The announcement comes amid growing international momentum to reintegrate Syria into the regional and global economic order. In recent weeks, the United States and the European Union both lifted long-standing economic sanctions on Damascus, clearing a major hurdle to foreign engagement. U.S. President Donald Trump, during a recent visit to the Middle East, cited Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince as a key advocate for removing the sanctions, which were imposed during Syria’s prolonged conflict and the ousting of former leader Bashar al-Assad.
Prince Faisal acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s role in advocating for the sanctions to be lifted. “The Kingdom remains committed to supporting Syria in its path toward reconstruction and economic recovery,” he said, signaling a policy shift toward deeper regional cooperation.
Accompanying the foreign minister was a high-level Saudi economic delegation, which he said would hold discussions with Syrian officials to explore avenues for economic collaboration. Talks are expected to focus on sectors such as energy, agriculture, and infrastructure.
In the coming days, a series of follow-up visits by Saudi business leaders to Syria is planned, as Riyadh seeks to revive economic ties and potentially spearhead reconstruction projects in key industries.
The renewed engagement marks a significant step in Syria’s gradual return to the regional fold, following more than a decade of isolation due to the civil war and international sanctions. While challenges remain, the announcement underscores a growing willingness among Arab states to reestablish diplomatic and economic relations with Damascus.
