Syrian foreign minister seeks Saudi expertise in defense, academia

Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Al-Shibani has said his country needs Saudi expertise in the defense industry and academic fields, emphasizing the importance of military cooperation with the Kingdom and stating that Syria needs it more than any other sector.

Speaking during a meeting with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi at Tishreen Palace in Damascus, Al-Shibani said Syrian-Jordanian relations are strong, and that Jordan’s security is an extension of Syria’s security. He noted that the strategic partnership between the two countries is greater than any obstacle.

Regarding recent developments in Daraa, the Syrian foreign minister said the incident was a test of relations with Jordan, praising Amman’s openness in addressing the matter swiftly and confirming that work is underway to implement the results of investigations.

He added that Syria is working to enhance border trade with Jordan and is coordinating efforts to combat smuggling networks, which will strengthen security and economic cooperation between the two countries.

On the situation in Yemen, Al-Shibani expressed hope for an end to the suffering of the Yemeni people and the restoration of stability, affirming Syria’s support for the legitimate government in facing Houthi attacks.

He denied any agreement with Yemen’s legitimate government to deploy Syrian forces in the country, clarifying that if Damascus were to take such a step regarding military deployment abroad, it would not be done in secret.