by Timour Azhari, Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Pesha Magid
- Saudi Arabia’s payment may unlock grants for Syria’s reconstruction
- Gulf Arab support for Syria may be materializing
- US sanctions complicate Syria’s financial recovery efforts
Saudi Arabia plans to pay off Syria’s debts to the World Bank, three people familiar with the matter said, paving the way for the approval of millions of dollars in grants for reconstruction and to support the country’s paralysed public sector.
The plans, which have not been previously reported, would be the first known instance of Saudi Arabia providing financing for Syria since Islamist-led rebels toppled former leader Bashar al-Assad last year.
It may also be a sign that crucial Gulf Arab support for Syria is beginning to materialize after previous plans, including an initiative by Doha to fund salaries, were held up by uncertainty over U.S. sanctions.
Last month, Qatar announced a plan to provide Syria with gas via Jordan to improve the nation’s meagre electricity supply, a move that sources told Reuters had Washington’s nod of approval.
A spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Finance told Reuters,…
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