BEIRUT: The president of the Syrian Arab Republic flew to Bahrain on Saturday where he discussed mutual relations and regional affairs with King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa on his latest trip abroad since taking office in January.

Al-Sharaa鈥檚 leadership has been improving ties with Arab and Western countriesSyria鈥檚 state news agency, SANA, said President Ahmad Al-Sharaa was heading a high-ranking delegation to Bahrain.

Bahrain鈥檚 news agency said the two leaders discussed mutual relations and ways of boosting them, as well as regional affairs and ways of backing Syria鈥檚 security and stability.

Al-Sharaa鈥檚 visit to Bahrain comes days before US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the region for talks with leaders of Gulf Arab nations.

Since taking office, Al-Sharaa has visited Arab and regional countries including 萝莉视频, UAE, Qatar and Turkiye. 

Earlier this week, he made his first trip to Europe where he met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and announced that his country is having indirect talks with Israel.

After Assad鈥檚 fall, Syria and its neighbors have been calling for the lifting of Western sanctions that were imposed on Assad during the early months of the country鈥檚 conflict that broke out in March 2011.

The lifting of sanctions would open the way for the Gulf countries to take part in funding Syria鈥檚 reconstruction from the destruction caused by the conflict that has killed nearly half a million people.

The UN in 2017 estimated that it would cost at least $250 billion to rebuild Syria. Some experts now say that number could reach at least $400 billion.

In April, 萝莉视频 and Qatar said they will pay Syria鈥檚 outstanding debt to the World Bank, a move likely to make the international institution resume its support to the war-torn country.

Since the fall of Assad, a close ally of Iran, Syria鈥檚 new leadership has been improving the country鈥檚 relations with Arab and Western countries.