Syria's interim president made his first trip abroad Sunday, traveling to Saudi Arabia in a move likely trying to signal Damascus' shift away from Iran as its main regional ally. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was once aligned with al-Qaida,

Syria’s newly appointed interim president, Ahmed al-Shara, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Sunday for his first foreign trip since his rebel coalition ousted the longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad, saying his country seeks a real partnership with the Gulf kingdom.

Sharaa, met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Sunday in his first foreign trip as Syrian leader, in a sign of the major shifts under way in regional alliances.

Bin Salman does not clarify source of funds, offered in US president's first call with a foreign leader since returning to office; figure represents more than half of Saudi GDP

Syria 's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has set off on his first foreign trip since taking office, and he has chosen Saudi Arabia as his destination. The trip is viewed as a strategic move indicating Syria's pivot away from Iran as its main regional ally.

Syria’s interim president made his first trip abroad on Sunday and arrived in Saudi Arabia in a move likely trying to signal Damascus’ shift away from Iran as its main regional ally. Syria's transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh as Syrian leader.

By bnm Gulf bureau Syria’s recently introduced Interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, arrived in Riyadh on February 2 for his first official visit, official Syrian media reported. Al-Sharaa’s visit to Saudi Arabia holds significant regional implications.