Ahmed Al-Shara, the new acting president of Syria, goes to Saudi Arabia

The new acting president of Syria, Ahmed Al-Shara, arrived in Saudi Arabia on Sunday for his first foreign trip since his rebel coalition ousted the longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad, saying that his country is looking for a real partnership with the kingdom of the Gulf.

Mr. Al-Shara landed at Riyadh airport, the Saudi capital early Sunday afternoon. Syria’s new flag stole alongside the Saudi flag at the airport. Mr. Al-Shara then met the crown prince of the kingdom rich in oil, Mohammed Bin Salman, according to the Syrian media and the Saudi state.

The choice of Saudi Arabia for the first trip of Mr. Al-Shara abroad was considered to reflect the changing political alignments of Syria under the new management of the country: far from Iran, which was a Key ally of the Assad diet and to the Gulf.

Mr. Al-Shara said after his meeting with Prince Mohammed that he had “felt and heard a real desire” to support Syria during his next reconstruction phase, according to a statement from his office published by State News Media.

The two men have kept “in -depth discussions” on a variety of subjects, including increasing communication and cooperation in “all areas, in particular humanitarian and economic,” the statement added.

Prince Mohammed wished Mr. Al-Shara “success and advice” in his new role as interim president, according to a separate declaration of the Royal Court.