Saudi Crown Prince, Syrian President call for urgent regional de-escalation

RIYADH — Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman received Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Riyadh on Wednesday. During their official talks, the Crown Prince and Al-Sharaa underscored the urgent imperative of galvanizing and intensifying regional and international efforts to defuse tensions, avert further escalation and contain mounting crises, while reaffirming the primacy of dialogue and diplomacy and the pursuit of peaceful solutions to disputes. **media[2789963]** The leaders stressed the imperative of an immediate cessation of all actions that jeopardize the security of maritime navigation and waterways in the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Strait of Hormuz. They reviewed the close bilateral relations between the two countries and explored avenues for further advancing and strengthening cooperation across all fields. **media[2789965]** The leaders also exchanged views on the prevailing regional and international developments, including the grave repercussions that any military escalation could have on regional and international security and stability, the safety of international navigation, the continuity of energy supplies, and the stability of the global economy. The Crown Prince and the Syrian president commended the significant convergence of their positions and perspectives on regional and international issues of mutual interest, underscoring the depth of coordination and consultation between the two countries. **media[2789964]** At the outset of their talks, the Crown Prince conveyed to Al-Sharaa the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, along with his sincere wishes for his continued health and well-being, and for further progress and prosperity for Syria and its people. On his part, Al-Sharaa reciprocated his greetings and heartfelt wishes to King Salman for his continued health and well-being, and further growth and prosperity for the Saudi people. During the session, a memorandum of understanding on industrial cooperation was signed between the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the Syrian Ministry of Industry, Internal Trade and Consumer Protection. An agreement on cooperation between the defense ministries of the two countries was also signed, alongside two memoranda of understanding on cooperation in agriculture and environmental protection between the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Syrian Ministries of Local Administration and Environment, and Agriculture. In addition, several agreements were concluded between the Saudi Fund for Development and the Syrian side, covering a range of projects in infrastructure, healthcare, housing, and financial services. Al-Sharaa had arrived in Riyadh earlier on Wednesday on an official visit in response to an invitation from King Salman. Upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport, Al-Sharaa was received by Deputy Emir of Riyadh Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, and Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser, the accompanying minister. The Syrian president was accompanied by high-ranking officials, including the ministers of defense, foreign, finance, and industry.