Saudi Arabia offers to pay the bill for Syria’s World Bank debt
As a first step, the kingdom could provide $15 million to cover Syria’s arrears, paving the way for more international aid to the war-ravaged country
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Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani met in January with Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan in Damascus
Saudi Arabia is taking the lead in helping Syria’s new government pay off its debts.
As a first step, the kingdom will put up $15 million to cover Syria’s arrears to the World Bank and unlock international aid money to begin the country’s reconstruction, Reuters reports.
The plans would be the first known instance of Saudi Arabia providing financing for Syria since Islamist-led rebels toppled former leader Bashar al-Assad last year.
It may also be a sign that Gulf Arab support for Syria is beginning to materialize after previous plans, including an initiative by Qatar to fund salaries, were held up by uncertainty over U.S. sanctions, according to Reuters.