ISLAMABAD: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani met Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, on Friday to discuss regional security, bilateral defence cooperation and ways to address common security challenges, the military’s media wing said.
Shaibani arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday evening at the head of a high-level delegation for talks on bilateral relations and regional developments. His visit comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly between the United States and Iran.
During the meeting with Munir, the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, the regional security environment and avenues for expanding bilateral defence and security cooperation, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Meanwhile, Munir highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding fraternal ties with Syria and shared Islamabad’s perspective on global peace and regional stability.
The army chief also stressed the importance of greater cooperation and joint efforts to tackle common security challenges, the military said.
In response, Shaibani appreciated the role of Pakistan’s armed forces in promoting regional peace and stability.
“Both sides reiterated their resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties and expand engagements in the fields of defence and security,” ISPR said.
Shaibani’s visit marks the first trip by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan in 19 years. During his stay, he also held meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Makkah Defence Pact
Separately, Shaibani said on Thursday that Syria was considering whether to join a new joint defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, although Damascus had yet to make a final decision.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye on August 7, states that an armed attack against one member would be treated as an attack against all three.
Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, Shaibani said Syria was closely following the agreement and recognised the importance of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye in the region.
“We are studying our options,” he said, adding that Syria had not yet decided whether to join the alliance and would consider the matter in the future.
His remarks came amid renewed tensions between Syria and Israel. Earlier this week, Israel carried out eight airstrikes on Syria’s Abu Al-Duhur air base, damaging its runway and storage facilities.
Israel said the strikes were aimed at preventing a potential deployment of Turkish forces at the facility. However, Türkiye denied having personnel stationed there.
