Saudi Arabia's top diplomat said Friday the kingdom was seeking to help Syria's new authorities secure the lifting of international sanctions, during his first visit to Damascus since Bashar al-Assad's overthrow.

Despite Syrian President Bashar Assad's ouster last month in a lightning insurgency, the country’s dire economic conditions haven't changed.

When Bashar al-Assad ruled Syria, merchants like Youssef Rajab kept much of their imported stock hidden for fear of arrest for breaking the law.

Attempts to reintegrate Syria into the international community come as Damascus negotiates on bringing the northeast back into the fold.