Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, held talks with senior Arab diplomats on Monday, signaling growing regional engagement and cooperation following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad on December 8. Sharaa, whose group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led the offensive that ended Assad's regime, emphasized rebuilding Syria and fostering partnerships during the meetings. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met with Sharaa in Damascus on Monday, marking the first visit by a senior Jordanian official since Assad's ouster. Safadi expressed Jordan's support for Syria's reconstruction and discussed cooperation in trade, border management, aid, and electricity connections, along with security measures. "We agree to support the Syrian people in rebuilding their state," Safadi said, calling for "a government that represents all spectrums in Syria" and the drafting of a new constitution. He added that Arab nations were unified in supporting Syria without external interference. Qatar's Minister of State at the Foreign Ministry, Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, led the first high-level Qatari delegation to Damascus in over a decade, signaling a significant thaw in relations after 13 years of diplomatic estrangement. Al-Khulaifi underscored Qatar's commitment to assisting Syria while preserving its sovereignty. The delegation also included a technical aviation team to assess Damascus airport's readiness for operations. A Qatari official revealed plans to provide technical support for resuming commercial and cargo flights and maintaining airport facilities during the transitional phase. "This visit reaffirms the strong fraternal ties between Qatar and Syria," Qatar's foreign ministry said, adding that it demonstrated unwavering support for the Syrian people's progress. Iran, a longtime ally of Assad, said it has had "no direct contact" with Syria's new rulers. However, Tehran expressed support for Syria's sovereignty and cautioned against the country becoming a "haven for terrorism." Despite its roots in Al-Qaeda, Sharaa's HTS has sought to moderate its image in recent years to foster broader acceptance. At a recent summit in Jordan, top diplomats from Arab, Turkish, EU, and US delegations called for an inclusive and peaceful transition in Syria after years of devastating civil war. — Agencies
