KSA, Qatar to settle Syria’s WB debt

RIYADH, Apr 28 (AFP): Saudi Arabia and Qatar announced on Sunday that they would settle Syria's debt to the World Bank totalling roughly $15 million, according to a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency.

Both Gulf states have played a key role in the diplomatic outreach to Syria's new rulers since the ouster of longtime strongman Bashar al-Assad in December.

"The ministries of finance in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the state of Qatar jointly announce their commitment to settle Syria's outstanding arrears to the World Bank Group, totalling around $15 million," the statement said.

The statement came just days after Syria's central bank governor and finance minister attended the IMF and WB spring meetings for the first time in more than 20 years.