Riyadh offers Damascus reconstruction and rehabilitation on the condition of reconsidering its relations with Iran.
A Lebanese newspaper wrote that Saudi Arabia had offered to partner in the reconstruction of Syria but made it conditional on Damascus reconsidering its relations with Tehran.
Last week, the Guardian reported that Saudi intelligence chief Khaled al-Hamidan had traveled to Damascus for the first time since the start of the Syrian war to meet with his Syrian counterpart.
“Al-Akhbar” newspaper wrote in this regard: “Saudi Arabia, in the face of its repeated disappointments with its American ally, has no choice but to reconsider its policies in the region, especially towards Iran and its allies in the axis of resistance.”
The report goes on to say, however, that Riyadh’s efforts are still based on misconceptions and bets, meaning that the Syrian government, which is currently under economic siege, will have to pay special funds in the form of its relations with Tehran for its reconstruction.
Al-Akhbar added that Riyadh called the news inaccurate but did not deny it completely. The reason for the Saudi reaction is that the person who traveled to Syria was not Khal al-Hamidan, but another official, the newspaper quoted informed sources as saying.
“Many factors have led Saudi Arabia to think about its proximity to Syria, and these factors are due to Riyadh’s repeated disappointments with the United States in the region, especially after the inauguration of Joe Biden,” the report said. The Gulf states, especially the UAE and Saudi Arabia in dealing with Syria, believe that Syria is facing “exceptional weakness” due to the cost of the 10-year war, as the cost of rebuilding the country in 2019 is estimated at $ 200 billion to $ 400 billion.
