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.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - 02, 2025 Syria's newly appointed interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, heads to Saudi Arabia on Sunday on his first trip abroad since his appointment and almost two months after the overthrow of deposed President Bashar al-Assad.

Julani was born in Saudi Arabia, later lived in Damascus, and joined Al Qaeda before becoming the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria.