Sabah Zanganeh, in an interview with the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations website about the visit of “Assad Al-Shaibani,” the Syrian Interim Government’s Foreign Minister, to Saudi Arabia, which is considered the first foreign and diplomatic trip by an official of the Syrian Interim Government after the formation of this government, stated: Given the way the Syrian Interim Government was formed, this government seeks to consolidate its position in the region and among Arab countries. While it was said that Saudi Arabia does not have a positive position towards the armed forces coming to power in Syria, since Turkey’s presence behind these developments is considered a warning to Saudi Arabia, the visit of the Syrian Interim Government’s Foreign Minister to Saudi Arabia is important.

Referring to Saudi Arabia’s importance in the region and among Arab countries as the largest country in the region, he stated: This trip will definitely have important political, diplomatic, and economic effects for the officials of the Syrian interim government. In any case, Saudi Arabia’s support for the interim government in Damascus will be one of the most important factors in this government’s possible future success.

This expert on regional and international issues noted that this trip is very important for the interim government because it is considered a prelude to the recognition of this government and will also affect its relations with other countries in the region.

In response to the question of why, despite Turkey’s comprehensive support, the officials of the interim government did not choose Turkey as the destination for their first political trip? he stated: The Syrian interim government is confident of Turkey’s absolute support and does not feel the need to showcase its interactions with Turkey at the regional and global levels, but a trip to Saudi Arabia, which is the largest Arab country in the region and has concerns about the interim government, can lead to interaction and softening of positions between the two countries; on the other hand, this trip will create credibility for the interim government among other Arab countries and the region. In response to the question of what Saudi Arabia’s most important concerns are about the Syrian interim government, He said: These concerns have political and security dimensions at the regional and international levels and have certainly been examined and expressed during this trip, and Saudi Arabia’s views have been conveyed to the officials of the Syrian interim government. Saudi Arabia has several concerns about the armed forces that have come to power in Syria. One of the most critical concerns is the way these forces and armed groups enter the Syrian capital. In any case, these groups were among the opposition forces in Syria for years, and their names have been on the list of terrorists and ISIS. Now, with the support of some countries, they entered the capital peacefully and seized power. This method and approach can be dangerous for Saudi Arabia and any other country in the region.

Zanganeh added: Regarding religious views, these forces should also be examined, and guarantees should be obtained from them regarding their future behavior in various aspects. Before entering the Syrian capital, they had views and beliefs that it remains to be seen what direction their previous behavior and actions would take once they gained power. Saudi Arabia will definitely try to obtain guarantees from the interim government officials that these forces will not become like ISIS in the future or create a basis for ISIS activity in Syria and other countries. It is a serious concern that these forces will influence forces with similar ideas in Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia by gaining power in Syria.

This expert on regional issues said another most important concern of Saudis regarding the Syrian interim government is the concern about the government’s absolute support and alignment with Turkey’s policies in the region and the world, and added: “The issue of Syria becoming a factor in implementing Turkey’s policies in Syria and the region in the future is one of Saudi Arabia’s major concerns.”

Regarding the Syrian interim government’s requests and expectations from Saudi Arabia at the current stage of political transition, he stated Saudi Arabia may be able to play a role, even if only a minor one, in controlling the factors that cause tension, including the Israeli regime’s entry into Syria and its violation of the country’s sovereignty, preventing the escalation of conflicts between the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Organization and Turkish extremists, and on the other hand, the presence of the United States and its control over oil resources and support for Kurdish forces.