Syria's interim president makes 1st foreign visit to Saudi Arabia
What's the story
Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has set off on his first foreign trip since taking office, and he has chosen Saudi Arabia as his destination.
The trip is viewed as a strategic move indicating Syria's pivot away from Iran as its main regional ally.
Sharaa, along with Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, landed in Riyadh on a Saudi jet, with the Saudi flag on display.
Diplomatic shift
Sharaa's visit to Riyadh: A strategic diplomatic move
Saudi state television emphasized the importance of Sharaa's selection of Riyadh as his first international destination.
The visit follows Sharaa, formerly Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, spearheading a successful offensive with his group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in December, overthrowing former President Bashar al-Assad.
Since assuming power, Sharaa has been working hard to rebrand himself and set a new course for Syria's foreign relations.
Image overhaul
Sharaa's efforts to reshape Syria's image and alliances
Sharaa has donned an olive-colored military look like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and appointed women to government roles.
He has also worked to keep Syria's Christian and Shia Alawite communities on his side.
His administration is keeping both Iran and Russia at bay, with Iran yet to reopen its embassy in Damascus. Russia is keen to keep its military bases in Syria but also sheltered Assad during the recent advances.
Sanction relief
Syria seeks relief from sanctions amid reconstruction challenges
Sharaa's diplomatic maneuvers are probably aimed at reassuring Western nations and seeking relief from crippling sanctions on Syria.
The cost of rebuilding the war-torn country is expected to run into hundreds of billions of dollars, with millions of Syrians still living in poverty.
In January, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan visited Damascus and said Riyadh is "actively engaging in dialogue" to lift sanctions against Syria.
Leadership challenges
Sharaa's background and challenges faced by interim government
Despite these diplomatic efforts, Syria's interim government still faces challenges from militant groups like the Islamic State.
A recent car bomb explosion in Manbij killed four civilians and wounded nine others.
Turkish-backed Syrian rebels had seized Manbij in December as part of Turkey's strategy to establish a buffer zone near its border.
Sharaa was appointed interim president after leading an offensive that ousted Assad on December 8, and has been tasked with forming an interim legislature following the dissolution of Assad-era institutions.