By taking the lead in hosting Syria's new foreign minister, Riyadh is eying strategic opportunity to fill the US void, counter Iran’s waning influence and stabilize ties with Damascus through aid, partnerships and engagement with Islamist factions.

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani has travelled to Saudi Arabia on the interim government's first international trip, as it seeks to build alliances and bolster its regional standing during a crucial transition period Countries in the region and beyond have reached out to the administration led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham leader Ahmad Al Shara

Asaad Al-Shaibani arrived in Riyadh in his first overseas visit since the removal of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.

The foreign minister of Syria's interim government has visited Saudi Arabia and Qatar in a bid to establish new diplomatic relations.

Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani leads Syrian delegation to Riyadh on 1st official visit, signaling potential for strengthened ties with Saudi Arabia - Anadolu Ajansı

The media’s systematic non-reporting is not just academic. It has very real consequences. The lack of scrutiny and public debate about Britain’s clandestine intervention allowed Britain a relatively free hand in Syria, with all the dire consequences this produced — see the prescient warning from the two former Nato secretary-generals above.

The newly appointed foreign minister in the Syrian interim administration established after the fall of Assad said he accepted an invitation from his Saudi counterpart to visit the kingdom, which would be his first official visit abroad.

Years of civil war and recent natural disasters have left Syrians greatly in need of humanitarian aid, and international relief flights have begun delivering assistance.

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani held talks with his counterpart in Saudi Arabia and the kingdom's defence minister during the Syrian interim government's first international trip, as it seeks to build alliances and bolster its regional standing during a crucial transition period.

On Wednesday, a Syrian delegation that included Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, and intelligence chief Anas Khattab arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, for the new Syrian government’s first diplomatic trip abroad.

Syria's new government has met with their Gulf neighbours UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in a bid to strengthen relations. Meanwhile, they are requesting the lifting of Western sanctions to rebuild the war-torn country. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, FRANCE 24's Oliver Farry welcomes Galip Dalay, Senior Consulting Fellow of the Turkey Initiative in the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House.