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Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa received Qatar's Minister of State at the Foreign Ministry, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, in Damascus on Saturday, with the two sides discussing bilateral relations, reconstruction efforts and the ongoing work to dismantle Syria's legacy chemical weapons program.
Al-Sharaa hosted Al-Khulaifi and his delegation at the People's Palace, where Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani was also present, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency. Talks centered on promoting regional cooperation and investment opportunities as Syria navigates its recovery phase.
In a separate meeting at Tishreen Presidential Palace, Al-Shaibani and Al-Khulaifi discussed expanding political and economic ties. Qatar's Foreign Ministry said the talks also covered progress on Syria's chemical weapons file under the bilateral partnership between Doha and Damascus, including efforts to support Syria's compliance obligations and deepen cooperation with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
The diplomatic visit comes days after a significant development at the OPCW: the organization's Executive Council voted on Thursday to restore Syria's rights and privileges under the Chemical Weapons Convention. Syria had been suspended from full membership in 2021 following documented violations committed under former President Bashar al-Assad.
In May, Al-Shaibani announced that authorities had discovered and secured munitions, materials and equipment tied to the former regime's chemical weapons production and storage infrastructure, calling it new progress in dismantling what remained of the program.
Syria acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013 under international pressure following a series of deadly chemical attacks, though subsequent investigations by the OPCW attributed further attacks to Assad's forces. The current transitional government has positioned compliance with international norms as a priority since coming to power.
Following Saturday's meetings, the Syrian and Qatari foreign ministries signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in diplomatic studies and training, marking a concrete institutional step in the warming relationship between the two countries.
Al-Khulaifi's trip to Damascus, whose duration was not disclosed, follows a meeting between Al-Shaibani and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha earlier this week, reflecting the pace at which ties have been advancing.
Al-Khulaifi reaffirmed Qatar's backing for the Syrian government and pledged Doha's continued engagement in regional and international efforts aimed at supporting Syria's development.
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Qatar has positioned itself as one of the most active Arab states in supporting Syria's post-Assad transition. Relations between the two countries have gathered momentum since the fall of Assad's government on December 8, 2024, with official exchanges multiplying across reconstruction, economic development and transitional support.
Qatar was among the Arab states that had cut or downgraded ties with Damascus during the Assad years and is now among the first to re-establish robust diplomatic and institutional links with the new Syrian leadership.
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