The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent congratulatory telegrams to His Excellency President Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the occasion of his country’s National Day, in a move that reflects the continuation of the diplomatic approach based on mutual respect and good neighborliness.

Wishing you health and prosperity

In their respective telegrams, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince expressed their sincerest congratulations and best wishes for continued health and happiness to His Excellency, and for further progress and prosperity to the government and people of the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran. This message of congratulations is in line with the high-level diplomatic protocols that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is keen to uphold with its brotherly and friendly nations, participating in their national occasions and official celebrations.

The context of Saudi-Iranian relations

This congratulatory message is particularly significant given the positive developments in Saudi-Iranian relations in recent times, especially following the historic agreement reached in Beijing in March 2013, which paved the way for the resumption of diplomatic relations and the reopening of embassies. These messages underscore the Saudi leadership's commitment to promoting de-escalation and cooperation in the region, serving the interests of both nations and enhancing opportunities for joint development.

The importance of regional stability

Observers believe that the exchange of greetings on national occasions between the leadership of the two countries is a vital indicator of stable political relations and reflects a shared desire to move forward in building bridges of trust. Saudi Arabia, through its ambitious Vision 2030, places regional stability as a cornerstone of its foreign policy, believing that economic prosperity and sustainable development can only be achieved in an environment of security and constructive cooperation among neighboring countries.

National Day symbolism

The Iranian people celebrate their National Day, a significant milestone in the country's modern history. The Saudi leadership's participation in this occasion, through congratulatory messages, underscores the fraternal ties that bind the peoples of the region and renews the call for joint action to confront regional and international challenges, ensuring a brighter and more stable future for the entire Middle East.

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, arrived in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, today, accompanied by a high-level official delegation, on a fraternal visit that embodies the strength of the deep-rooted historical ties between the two sister kingdoms.

Upon his arrival at King Khalid International Airport, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, was at the forefront of those welcoming His Highness, reflecting the warm reception and great appreciation the Kingdom holds for its guests from the brotherly Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Also participating in the welcoming ceremony were the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Nayef bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ali bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, in addition to the Acting Regional Police Chief, Major General Mansour bin Nasser Al-Otaibi, the Undersecretary of Royal Protocol, Fahd Al-Sahil, and a number of officials from both sides.

This visit is of particular importance given the overall context of Saudi-Bahraini relations, which serve as an exceptional model of relations between nations, based on a long history of brotherhood, shared destiny, and kinship ties that bind the two brotherly peoples. The visit of the Crown Prince of Bahrain is a continuation of the ongoing consultation and coordination between the leaderships of the two countries on various regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Strategically, the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council plays a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral cooperation, with both countries striving, through these reciprocal visits, to advance economic, security, and political integration. These initiatives align with the ambitious development visions of both nations, embodied in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, reflecting a shared commitment to diversifying income sources and creating promising investment opportunities that benefit the citizens of both countries.

Regionally, such high-level meetings contribute to strengthening the Gulf Cooperation Council's joint action framework and unifying positions on the challenges facing the region, thus bolstering security and stability in the Arabian Gulf. The arrival of Prince Salman bin Hamad in Riyadh today is a further confirmation that relations between Riyadh and Manama are progressing steadily towards greater partnership and integration in all fields.

In recent statements highlighting the scale of economic challenges and future opportunities in the region, Syrian Deputy Minister of Local Administration, Zafer al-Omar, revealed huge figures related to the reconstruction file in Syria, indicating that the estimated cost could reach record levels ranging between 300 and 500 billion US dollars.

Timetable and variance of estimates

In an exclusive statement to Akhbar 24, Al-Omar explained that the complex process of rebuilding the real estate sector and the damaged cities could take between three and five years. He emphasized that these timeframes depend on the pace of work and funding, stressing that Syria will emerge stronger than before thanks to the efforts being made and the plans in place.

The Syrian official pointed out that the discrepancy in the estimates of the total cost (between $300 and $500 billion) is due to the enormous scale of the destruction and the different technical assessments of the affected areas, noting a crucial point that the pace of reconstruction of cities and urban centers is usually faster and smoother compared to rural areas, which may require greater logistical efforts.

Infrastructure: The backbone of reconstruction

In detailing the figures, Al-Omar indicated that the cost of rehabilitating the infrastructure alone could reach approximately $100 billion. This includes road networks, electricity, water, and telecommunications—sectors that suffered the most damage during the years of crisis. He emphasized that these figures, despite their enormity, represent fertile ground and an attractive opportunity for Arab and foreign investors, as Syria currently offers vast and unprecedented opportunities in various construction and building sectors.

Context of the crisis and priorities for the next phase

These statements come at a time when Syria is looking to turn the page on a war that has lasted for more than a decade and caused widespread destruction of its infrastructure and economy. Reconstruction is the biggest challenge facing the country in the post-war phase, requiring a massive concerted effort from both local and international actors.

Al-Omar pointed out that the Syrian government has established a clear set of priorities for upcoming projects, giving top priority to essential service sectors that directly impact citizens' lives. This will be followed by a focus on areas that suffered extensive damage from military operations and shelling, specifically in the governorates of Rural Damascus, Aleppo (the country's economic capital), Idlib, Hama, and Homs. Revitalizing these areas means more than just rebuilding infrastructure; it means restarting the economy and enabling residents to return to their homes, which is the cornerstone of restoring the country's social and economic stability.