Syrian president, Bahrain’s king discuss bilateral ties, regional developments

ISTANBUL

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa discussed bilateral relations and regional developments on Saturday.

The meeting took place at Sakhir Palace, according to Bahrain's official news agency.

The agency reported that King Hamad received al-Sharaa and his accompanying delegation at Sakhir Palace in western Bahrain. Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was also present on the occasion.

The two sides “discussed relations and opportunities to strengthen cooperation across various domains. They also addressed regional developments and the efforts undertaken in that regard.”

The discussions covered “the latest developments in Syria and ways to support the country’s security and stability,” the agency added.

At a news conference with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Al-Shaibani, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani stated that the talks “affirmed the deep-rooted and historic fraternal relations that bind the two countries and their brotherly peoples.”

According to Bahrain’s official news agency, Al Zayani added that the discussions also addressed “avenues of bilateral cooperation and ways to enhance and develop it across various sectors, including trade, civil aviation, energy, health, and education, in a manner that promotes mutual interests and benefits both peoples.”

Shaibani, who accompanied al-Sharaa on the visit, described the occasion as “a defining moment in which the two countries together begin a new and promising chapter in their bilateral relations—one built on mutual trust, deep respect, and a shared vision for a future of cooperation and integration,” according to the news agency.

The Syrian minister reiterated his call to lift economic sanctions imposed on Syria, which he said have directly affected civilians and obstructed reconstruction and recovery efforts.

Later, the Syrian president departed the Kingdom of Bahrain and was seen off by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, according to a statement from the Syrian presidency.

Following the departure, the Syrian presidency published a message of gratitude from al-Sharaa to the king. “I am pleased to extend to Your Majesty, on behalf of myself and the people of the Syrian Arab Republic, the highest expressions of thanks and appreciation for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to us during our visit to your esteemed country,” he said.

Sharaa arrived Saturday in Bahrain on his first official visit to that country, according to Syria’s state-run news agency.

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the son of Bahrain’s king, welcomed al-Sharaa upon his arrival in Manama, Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

The visit is al-Sharaa’s sixth to an Arab country and his eighth international trip since taking office in January 2025. His earlier stops included Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and France.

His regional tour follows a major political shift in Syria after longtime leader Bashar Assad fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending nearly 25 years in power and bringing an end to Baath Party rule that began in 1963.