Saudi Arabia's top diplomat visited Lebanon on Thursday for the first time in a decade following years of strained relations between the oil-rich kingdom and the small Mediterranean country. Prince Faisal bin Farhan's visit comes almost two months after a ceasefire went into effect that halted Israel and the Hezbollah group's war

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister visits Lebanon on Thursday in the first trip to Beirut by Riyadh's top diplomat in 15 years, seeking a commitment to reform as the Gulf state reasserts sway in a country where Iranian influence is waning.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani said on Wednesday that the country will open its economy to foreign investment and that Damascus is also working on energy and electricity partnerships with Gulf states.

There needs to be law and there need to be clear messages to open the way for foreign investors, and to encourage Syrian investors to return to Syria.” Shaibani spoke to the FT ahead of an appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday,