Ministers from Syria's transitional government held talks in Saudi Arabia on Thursday on their first foreign visit since they toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad last month. Shibani was accompanied by Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and General Intelligence Service chief Anas Khattab,

Shaibani is on his first foreign visit to Riyadh less than a month since Bashar al-Assad's fall, received by senior Saudi officials including the foreign and defense ministers.

The Saudi trip comes amid a wider reset of ties since last month’s overthrow of longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad, whose rule was marked in later years by heavy dependence on Riyadh’s regional rival, Iran: Saudi Arabia wants to take advantage of Tehran’s setback, while Syria’s rulers hope to court investment and support.

Saudi Arabia says it has executed six Iranian men over drug smuggling, sparking strong objections from Iran at a time when the two countries are trying to mend relations.

Tensions resurface in the Middle East as Iran summons Saudi Arabia’s ambassador in a heated diplomatic protest. Accusations of violations and unresolved grievances hint at cracks in their fragile reconciliation.