CAIRO 

Ahmad Al-Sharaa has received official congratulations from several Arab nations following his assumption as Syria’s transitional president.

Anti-regime groups took control of Damascus in a lightning offensive in December 2024, toppling the Bashar al-Assad regime and ending his family’s decades-long rule in Syria.

Earlier this week, the new Syrian administration appointed Sharaa as the transitional president, dissolved all armed factions, intelligence agencies, and the Baath Party, which had ruled the country for decades, and abolished the previous Constitution.

He is authorized to establish a temporary legislative council to oversee governance until a permanent Constitution is adopted.

Official statements from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, and Yemen expressed support for Sharaa’s leadership and the restructuring efforts underway in the war-torn country.

- Congratulatory messages

“I extend my congratulations to Ahmad al-Sharaa for assuming the position of president of the Syrian Arab Republic during the transitional period,” said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

“I wish him success in fulfilling the aspirations of the Syrian people for further progress and prosperity,” he added.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent separate congratulatory messages, wishing him success in leading Syria through its transition, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also extended his congratulations to Sharaa, according to the Emirates News Agency.

In Kuwait, Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a telegram to the new Syrian leader, expressing his sincere congratulations and best wishes for success, the Kuwait News Agency reported.

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq wished Sharaa success in leading Syria and fulfilling the aspirations of the Syrian people, according to the Oman News Agency.

Jordan’s King Abdullah sent a message to Sharaa expressing his hopes for successful leadership during the transitional period, the Jordan News Agency (Petra) reported.

From Yemen, Rashad Al-Alimi, chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, sent a letter to Sharaa congratulating him on his new role and wishing the Syrian people peace, stability, and progress, according to a statement from the Yemeni Foreign Ministry.

“We are pleased to extend our warmest fraternal greetings to Your Excellency and to the dear Syrian people, on the occasion of your assumption of the presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic during this transitional period,” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said, according to Wafa news agency.

Abbas also reaffirmed his country’s “commitment to enhancing the deep-rooted and historical fraternal relations between our countries and peoples, for the benefit of all.”

- Qatari emir’s landmark visit

Meanwhile, Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met Sharaa at the Presidential Palace in Damascus on Thursday, becoming the first Arab leader to visit the Syrian capital since the fall of Assad.

He expressed congratulations on the Syrian revolution’s victory and Sharaa’s appointment as president of the transitional administration, according to a statement from the Qatari Amiri Diwan.

The Qatari leader stressed the need to form “an inclusive government representing all Syrians to ensure stability and advance reconstruction and development efforts.”

“Qatar will continue standing with its Syrian brothers to help them achieve their aspirations for a nation built on unity, justice, and freedom, where its people can live with dignity,” Sheikh Tamim added.

Earlier, the Qatari Foreign Ministry welcomed “measures aimed at restructuring Syria and fostering national unity, ensuring long-term stability, the rule of law, and economic prosperity.”

It stressed that “this crucial stage requires consolidating all military forces into a single national army, representing all factions of society without exclusion, to preserve Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while facilitating a peaceful transition of power.”