“We stressed the importance of lifting unilateral and international sanctions imposed on Syria, as their continuation hinders the aspirations of the Syrian people to achieve development and reconstruction,” Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said after Sunday’s talks concluded in Riyadh.

Foreign ministers and top diplomats from Western and Middle Eastern countries met with Syria's new foreign minister in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Sunday (January 12) at the first such regional meeting on Syria since President Bashar al-Assad was ousted last month.

Top European and Middle Eastern diplomats gathered in Riyadh for a conference focused on Syria's future on Sunday.