RIYADH, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with his counterpart from Syria’s new administration, Asaad Al-Shaibani, on Thursday in Riyadh to discuss efforts to shape the war-torn country's future.

The visit marked Al-Shaibani's first international visit since the Assad regime collapsed last month and the first direct talks between the two leaders.

The discussions focused on “reviewing the current situation in Syria and the efforts being made to address it,” according to a statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry.

Prince Faisal reiterated the kingdom’s support for “all efforts aimed at ensuring Syria's security, stability, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.”

The two ministers also explored “ways to support initiatives contributing to a prosperous future for Syria and its people” and discussed preserving Syria’s institutions and resources and its reintegration into the Arab and Islamic worlds.

On Wednesday evening, Shaibani arrived in Riyadh, marking his first official visit abroad after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad's regime. The visit followed an invitation from his Saudi counterpart.

Assad, Syria's leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party's regime, which had been in power since 1963.

The takeover came after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters captured key cities in a lightning offensive that lasted less than two weeks.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio